Erik Ten Hag Reopens Cristiano Ronaldo Feud with Blunt Man United Claim
Ten Hag said Ronaldo’s conduct in training and matches undermined United’s standards before the club terminated his contract, with tensions peaking after the Brentford defeat.
- In a revealing interview with The Athletic, former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag discussed his fractured relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo, arguing that reputation cannot exempt players from team rules.
- Following a humiliating 4-goal defeat to Brentford in August 2022, Ten Hag observed Ronaldo repeatedly failing to meet training intensity requirements and allegedly encouraging teammates to "save your legs" during sessions.
- According to Ten Hag, players were expected to complete three laps but Ronaldo stopped after two, failing to raise his heart rate to required levels. "He let the team down, and he let me down," Ten Hag said, per Sky Sports.
- Tensions escalated when Ronaldo left a Rayo Vallecano friendly early, refused to substitute against Tottenham, and criticized Ten Hag in a Piers Morgan interview; Manchester United and Ronaldo subsequently terminated his contract.
- The situation illustrates the challenge of balancing a superstar's reputation against collective discipline during a rebuild, as Ten Hag maintained that strict standards remained essential for United's success despite Ronaldo's relentless ambition.
21 Articles
21 Articles
The Independent
The Independent (US)Erik ten Hag accuses Cristiano Ronaldo of unprofessionalism at Manchester United
Ten Hag and Ronaldo had a dramatic fallout during their time together at Old Trafford
Cristiano Ronaldo let Manchester United and me down, says Erik ten Hag
Erik ten Hag has broken his two-year silence on his turbulent Manchester United spell, claiming Cristiano Ronaldo let him and the team down. The former United manager also questioned the influence of the club's ex-Real Madrid stars, revealing how their differences over training, tactics and authority fuelled the fallout.
Ex-Man United boss Erik ten Hag accuses Cristiano Ronaldo of 'letting the team down' in bombshell claim
Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has accused Cristiano Ronaldo of "letting the team down" during his tenure in charge of the club.The Dutch manager worked with the footballing icon in 2022, and their major falling-out consistently made headlines.Ronaldo's contract was terminated less than halfway through the 2022/23 season, and Ten Hag was sacked by United in 2024.The Dutchman has now opened up about some of the pair's clashes, suggest…
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