Ten Hag says Ronaldo let Manchester United down before 2022 exit

Erik ten Hag has said Cristiano Ronaldo let him and Manchester United down during the forward’s second spell at Old Trafford. In an interview with The Athletic, reported by BBC Sport on Tuesday, the former United manager described a breakdown involving a player he had initially intended to retain.

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Ten Hag said he travelled to Portugal before taking charge in 2022 to explain his plans to Ronaldo. He expressed admiration for the forward’s achievements but said his selection decisions had to be based on the team’s needs. The Dutchman also disputed the suggestion that the disagreement was simply about asking Ronaldo to press opponents.

Instead, Ten Hag alleged that Ronaldo had not prepared adequately and was not running sufficiently with or without possession. He also claimed the forward encouraged team-mates to conserve energy in training. Those remarks represent Ten Hag’s account of their working relationship, rather than an agreed explanation from both men.

The dispute became public during the autumn of 2022. As BBC Sport reported at the time, Ten Hag omitted Ronaldo from the Premier League match against Chelsea after he refused to enter the Tottenham game as a substitute. Ronaldo subsequently told TalkTV that he felt the manager had provoked him, accused United of betraying him and said he did not respect Ten Hag.

United announced Ronaldo’s immediate departure on 22 November 2022, with both sides describing the decision as mutual. In his statement then, Ronaldo said he still loved the club and its supporters but wanted a new challenge. He finished his two spells with United having scored 145 goals in 346 appearances, according to the BBC’s contemporary report.

The latest interview comes amid a separate dispute involving Ronaldo and Portugal. BBC Sport reported on Monday that the Portuguese Football Federation imposed a 30-day suspension and a €255 fine after he left an international camp. The ban runs from 1 October and will not cost him any Portugal matches. Ronaldo accused coach Jorge Jesus of breaking promises; Jesus denied making an agreement with him.