Man Utd: Cristiano Ronaldo 'forced staff to upgrade swimming pool'

Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly forced Manchester United to revamp their training ground swimming pool after complaining that it posed a safety hazard.

Ronaldo secured an emotional return to United last summer, heading back for a second stint at Old Trafford 12 years after his world-record move to Real Madrid.

Yet despite last using it all the way back in 2009, the Portuguese superstar was left dismayed when he discovered their Carrington swimming pool had not changed one bit over the past decade.

According to The Mirror, Ronaldo told bosses at their Aon training complex that he is not prepared to use their main pool or plunge pool until both have been refurbished, as he claimed 'loose, chipped and missing tiles' made it a danger.

United officials took his complaints very seriously and immediately ordered remedial works on the two pools, which will be completed before pre-season training begins in mid-July.

Ronaldo is understood to have been disappointed with the declining standard in facilities at both Carrington and Old Trafford since he returned, with the hazardous swimming pools his biggest gripe.

So much so, in fact, that he made sure his rented home in Cheshire included an indoor pool so that he could perform water-based exercises away from the club's training ground.

The 37-year-old's frustration with the facilities at United could explain why he felt the need to join a local gym, having recently signed up to an exclusive £255-a-month facility in Knustford.

Earlier this month he was spotted working out at the Cpase health club, combining sessions there with training at Carrington and in his own private gym.

He recently posted a picture with son Cristiano junior in the gym’s cryotherapy chamber, while wife Georgina Rodriguez has also been training there.

According to research from Swiss Ramble, the Glazers have only spent £183million on infrastructure during their time as United owners, which explains the reported poor quality of facilities on offer.

However, the club is said to have recently spent £200,000 on a new boiler system after problems causing intermittent hot and cold water affected Carrington throughout the winter.

Last year they also applied for planning permission to build additional changing rooms, offices, gyms and catering areas.

United officials followed that up with a request for new LED floodlights and an all-seater stand for up to 500 spectators.