Photo via BBC Sport

Ronaldo let Manchester United down - Ten Hag

Erik ten Hag has criticized Cristiano Ronaldo’s fitness and work rate during his final season at Manchester United, stating the forward failed to meet expectations despite his experience. The Dutch manager, who oversaw Ronaldo’s return from Juventus in 2021 at age 36 under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, noted the striker scored just three goals in 16 appearances before leaving in 2023.

Ten Hag emphasized Ronaldo’s lack of preparation, saying he neither pressed nor tracked back effectively, and that the player’s training habits fell short of what was required to maintain elite fitness levels. The comments come amid Ronaldo’s 30-day suspension and €255 fine from the Portuguese Football Federation for abandoning the national team’s international camp earlier this year.

Ten Hag, sacked in October 2024 after winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024, also reflected on his tenure, highlighting persistent struggles in midfield and attack, including a failed push to sign Frenkie de Jong, Harry Kane, and Declan Rice, as well as opposition to Scott McTominay’s transfer to Napoli.

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