Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has launched a sharp criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo, asserting that the Portugal forward failed to prepare properly, lacked fitness for the Premier League, and let teammates down during his turbulent second spell at Old Trafford before leaving the club in November 2022.
Nearly four years after the high-profile exit, Erik ten Hag has broken his silence regarding the breakdown of his relationship with the veteran forward, offering a detailed account of training ground friction and tactical incompatibility nearly four years after the events unfolded. Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford in August 2021 under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, netting 24 goals in his first season back before Ten Hag took charge in the summer of 2022.
The Dutchman revealed in an interview that he flew to Portugal prior to taking the United job to outline his plans to the star, acknowledging his status in the sport while maintaining that managerial decisions had to prioritize the collective. Obviously, he’s one of the best in football history. I respected him a lot. But at that time, as a manager, I had to make a rational decision and keep the players I admire in,
Ten Hag explained to The Athletic.
Training Ground Conflicts and Fitness Demands Under Ten Hag
Tensions between the manager and the forward quickly manifested in training standards and physical output. Ten Hag disclosed that Ronaldo routinely withdrew from practice sessions and fell short of required performance metrics, notably completing only two of three mandatory laps ordered after a 4-0 defeat to Brentford in August 2022 according to Yahoo Sports.
The manager pushed back against assumptions that he demanded heavy pressing from an exhausted player, arguing instead that a lack of proper preparation left Ronaldo unable to occupy scoring positions as reported by Goal. Many times I say, ‘Ronnie, everyone wants to work for you to bring you in the right position, but if you can’t bring yourself in the box, you can’t score’,
Ten Hag recalled.
He let the team down, and he let me down, because we planned with him.
Erik ten Hag, former Manchester United manager, via Rte
Furthermore, Ten Hag alleged that Ronaldo attempted to influence teammates by advising them to save their legs during training sessions. While acknowledging that fully fit players occasionally manage their workload, the manager emphasized that younger or recovering squad members needed baseline fitness levels first noted the BBC.
The Explosive Exit and Piers Morgan Interview in November 2022
The relationship deteriorated past the point of repair in October 2022 when Ronaldo refused to come on as a substitute during a victory over Tottenham Hotspur, walking down the tunnel before the final whistle reported Balls. Ten Hag dropped the forward for a subsequent match against Chelsea and required him to train away from the senior squad according to The Times of India.
The rupture culminated in an unvarnished television interview with Piers Morgan in November 2022, in which Ronaldo declared that he felt betrayed by the club and held no respect for the manager detailed Sports Mole. Shortly afterward, Ronaldo’s contract was terminated by mutual consent, and he subsequently signed with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
Broader Disclosures on Club Culture and Broken Promises
Beyond his assessment of Ronaldo, Ten Hag used the interview to criticize Manchester United’s hierarchy and ownership structure. The Dutchman, who was himself dismissed in October 2024 while the team sat 14th in the league table reported Rte, claimed that leadership broke promises regarding backing and squad alignment.
He expressed acute frustration over the August 2024 sale of Scott McTominay to Napoli, stating that he explicitly requested the midfielder remain at the club according to The Guardian. Ten Hag also pointed to a lingering player-power dynamic introduced by what he termed the Real Madrid connection—referencing Ronaldo, Raphael Varane, and Casemiro—arguing that their desire for individual autonomy clashed with the dynamic, attacking system United needed highlighted the Daily Mail.