Erik ten Hag responds to Ronaldo’s Man Utd criticism: “He’s far from Manchester.”
Erik ten Hag responds to Ronaldo's Man Utd criticism: "He's far from Manchester."
Erik ten Hag has responded to recent comments made by Cristiano Ronaldo about Manchester United’s inability to win the Premier League or the Champions League, with the Dutch coach emphasizing Ronaldo’s distance from Manchester, both physically and perhaps metaphorically. Ronaldo, who now plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs at United, suggesting that the club needs a complete overhaul to return to winning ways.
In a recent interview, Ronaldo claimed that Manchester United is no longer in a position to compete for top honors. “They need to rebuild everything, in my opinion,” Ronaldo said. He also mentioned that a coach should never publicly express doubt about competing for major trophies, adding, “The coach, they say they cannot compete to win the league and Champions League. Manchester United coach… you cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the league or Champions League.”
Ronaldo’s remarks seem to point to what he perceives as a lack of ambition or competitiveness at Manchester United. This comment comes from his experience during his second stint at the club, which ended unceremoniously after a very public fallout with Ten Hag. The forward had openly criticized the direction of the club and expressed frustration over what he called a lack of support from key figures at United. Ronaldo felt “betrayed” by the club and particularly by Ten Hag, leading to his contract being terminated in November 2022.
Despite Ronaldo’s departure, the club’s struggles have continued. Under Ten Hag’s leadership, Manchester United has endured a difficult period in the Premier League, losing two of their first three matches this season. United’s current form reflects their ongoing issues, with the team winning only five of their last 16 Premier League matches across this season and last. This disappointing record has left fans questioning whether the club is on track to compete at the highest level, as the demands of the Premier League and European football continue to increase.
Ten Hag, however, remains unfazed by Ronaldo’s remarks. Responding to Ronaldo’s criticism, the Manchester United manager pointed out the forward’s distance from the club, both geographically and in terms of his current situation. “He said that Manchester United can’t win the Premier League,” Ten Hag noted. “No, he said this if you read the article very well. So he’s far away in Saudi, far from Manchester. Everyone is entitled to have an opinion. It’s OK.”
Ten Hag’s response reflects a calm and measured approach, acknowledging Ronaldo’s opinion without engaging in a war of words. While Ronaldo’s status as a global football icon gives weight to his comments, Ten Hag’s decision to downplay the criticism may indicate that he is more focused on the task at hand—rebuilding Manchester United and improving their performances on the pitch. The club’s recent struggles are evident, but Ten Hag’s vision for the future appears to involve long-term planning rather than quick fixes.
The relationship between Ronaldo and Ten Hag was fraught with tension during the Portuguese forward’s time at Old Trafford. Ronaldo had previously expressed dissatisfaction with his role in the team, as he was often left out of starting lineups under Ten Hag’s management. This ultimately led to his exit from the club, bringing an end to a chapter that began with high expectations but concluded in disappointment for both player and club.
As Manchester United prepare to face Southampton in their next Premier League match, Ten Hag and his players will be under pressure to deliver a strong performance. The team’s inconsistent start to the season has raised concerns among fans, and a positive result is crucial to getting their campaign back on track. Meanwhile, Ronaldo continues his career in Saudi Arabia, where he remains one of the most high-profile figures in global football.
The exchange between Ronaldo and Ten Hag highlights the complex dynamics at play within Manchester United. While Ronaldo’s criticism reflects his frustration with the current state of the club, Ten Hag’s calm response suggests that the manager is focused on building a team that can compete at the top level, regardless of external opinions.
As United move forward without Ronaldo, the question remains whether Ten Hag can navigate the challenges ahead and restore Manchester United to their former glory. However, for now, the Dutch manager appears determined to keep his focus on the present, leaving Ronaldo’s remarks in the past, where the striker himself is now far removed from Manchester both on and off the pitch.
