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Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has accused Cristiano Ronaldo of letting the team down during their time together at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo was playing his second spell at Manchester United when Ten Hag became the club’s manager in the summer of 2022. However, their relationship broke down a few months later, leading to the Portuguese forward’s departure.
Speaking in an interview with The Athletic, Ten Hag said he had high expectations of Ronaldo but felt disappointed by his attitude and commitment to the team.
“He let the team down, and he let me down, because we planned with him,” Ten Hag said.
The Dutchman explained that he travelled to Portugal to meet Ronaldo before taking over at Manchester United to discuss his plans for the club.
Ten Hag acknowledged Ronaldo’s achievements, describing him as one of the greatest footballers in history. However, he said he had to make decisions in the best interest of the team.
In October 2022, Ten Hag dropped Ronaldo from the squad for a Premier League match against Chelsea after the forward refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur three days earlier.
Ronaldo later gave a television interview in which he said he felt betrayed by Manchester United. He also said he did not respect Ten Hag and believed the club was trying to force him out.
His departure was eventually agreed upon by both parties in November 2022.
Ten Hag also criticised Ronaldo’s fitness and his willingness to work for the team during training.
He rejected suggestions that he expected the forward to do excessive pressing, arguing instead that Ronaldo had not prepared himself well enough physically.
According to Ten Hag, every top player must be willing to work for the team, regardless of their individual achievements.
He also claimed Ronaldo had advised other players to conserve their energy during training sessions.
Ten Hag said such an approach could only be justified when players were already physically fit, stressing that proper training was necessary to reach the required fitness levels.
Ronaldo returned to Manchester United from Juventus in 2021 when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the manager. He was 36 at the time.
During his time under Ten Hag, the forward scored three goals in 16 appearances before leaving the club during the 2022 to 2023 season.
The interview comes as Ronaldo faces disciplinary action from the Portuguese Football Federation after leaving Portugal’s national team camp last month.
The federation handed him a 30 day suspension and a fine of 255 euros, equivalent to about £215.
Ten Hag was dismissed by Manchester United in October 2024. During his time at the club, he won the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.
Reflecting on his time at Old Trafford, Ten Hag said he had wanted the club to sign several players, including Frenkie de Jong, Harry Kane and Declan Rice.
He also revealed that he opposed Manchester United’s decision to sell midfielder Scott McTominay to Napoli in August 2024.
Ten Hag said strengthening the defence and midfield, as well as signing players who could score goals, had been among his major priorities.
He added that a lack of goals remained one of the biggest problems during his three years at the club.
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