Frank Christian
Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, has responded strongly after Cristiano Ronaldo publicly criticized his management style.
The former United forward, Ronaldo, has claimed that Ten Hag lacks the ambition necessary for a club of United’s stature and fails to comprehend the demands of the position.
Their relationship soured before Ronaldo’s departure from the club, culminating in his exit to join Al Nassr in December 2022 after his contract was terminated.
Ronaldo’s Criticism of Ten Hag
Ronaldo was candid in his evaluation of Ten Hag while speaking with former teammate Rio Ferdinand on the Five YouTube channel.
He stated, “As Manchester United’s manager, you must at least express the aspiration of contending for the Premier League or Champions League titles. You must convey that while we might not possess the best potential, we will strive for it. Trying is essential!”
He emphasized, “Manchester United must undergo a complete rebuild.”
Ten Hag’s Rebuttal to Ronaldo
In his pre-match press conference prior to facing Southampton in the Premier League, Ten Hag addressed Ronaldo’s comments.
The former Ajax coach appeared unimpressed by Ronaldo’s remarks, even making a subtle dig at the player’s current situation.
“Ronaldo’s words don’t affect me. He mentioned that Manchester United can’t win the Premier League? That’s his statement,” he said.
“He is far away in Saudi Arabia, away from Manchester. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and that’s acceptable.”
Pressure on Ten Hag at Manchester United
Ronaldo suggested that United’s struggles stem from a failure to consult former players for guidance, highlighting icons such as Ruud van Nistelrooy, Roy Keane, and Ferdinand as potential advisors.
“If Ten Hag heeds advice from Ruud [van Nistelrooy], it could benefit the club. You can’t rebuild an organization you don’t fully understand,” he added.
As United continues to face difficulties on the field and with mounting pressure on Ten Hag, it remains uncertain if the club will consider Ronaldo’s perspectives or persist with their current strategy.
