Cristiano Ronaldo has levelled critique at Manchester United and Erik ten Hag this week.
The Manchester United legend claims it is for his love of the club, although it could also be perceived as him trying to get one over on Erik ten Hag.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second spell at Manchester United ended bluntly, his contract terminated after an interview with Piers Morgan and a falling out with Ten Hag.
Now, this week he has been speaking with Rio Ferdinand and these same topics came up, and once again Ronaldo took a strong stance, claiming Ten Hag needs to raise his ambitions in order to be a success at United – despite Ten Hag doing much of what he has been accused of not doing here.
Ronaldo also suggested that Ruud van Nistelrooy could be the perfect man to help Ten Hag if he listens to him. Well, now Ten Hag has responded.
- READ MORE: Who is Cristiano Ronaldo? Meet one of football’s most iconic names and undisputed Man Utd legend
Erik ten Hag makes a response to Cristiano Ronaldo
On Thursday, Ten Hag sat his press conference ahead of the trip to Southampton on Saturday with a 12:30 pm kick-off time.
Here he was asked about the situation and Ronaldo’s comments, to which he made a clear response.
“He said that Manchester United can’t win the Premier League. He said this if you read the article very well. He’s far away in Saudi, far away from Manchester. Everyone can have an opinion. It’s okay.”
Along similar lines, Ten Hag then commented on the noise this sort of situation creates and whether it could impact the team.
“It doesn’t impact me, I know in the process where we are. And what we have to do. Where we are going.”
While he is far from agreeing with Ronaldo, Ten Hag did accept that he and the team need to do more.
“We will do our best to win every game. We will see where we are in May. I know in the process where we are and what we have to do, where we are going. I have said before we are still in a transition period”.
Manchester United could do without this situation
The start to this season has been far from ideal for United with two defeats already in three games – so ahead of a pretty crucial game against Southampton the noise of a club great and arguably the most famous footballer on the globe could be done without.
Ten Hag makes a good point, stating Ronaldo is nowhere near United right now and probably is not too familiar with what is going on within the club at this stage, with Ineos‘ revolution well underway.
The team are in a bit of a must-win situation already, and so we have to agree with Ten Hag here.
Aside from this, Ronaldo should be delighted with the progress United are making at the moment, with Omar Berrada’s recent statement being the key indicator.
The United manager stating that he is not affected and knows what needs to be done in order to get the club back to where it belongs is encouraging – although he needs to start proving it on the pitch.
2024/25 starts on Saturday, the previous three games can be looked past but things have got to get better with the talent now on display at Old Trafford.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
