Cristiano Ronaldo has reignited tensions with Manchester United and its manager, Erik ten Hag, by criticizing the Dutchman’s approach to leadership. The legendary Portuguese forward, who parted ways with United midway through the 2022-23 season, has suggested that Ten Hag’s mentality is limiting the club’s chances of returning to their former glory. Ronaldo, now playing for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr, shared his views on his abrupt departure from Old Trafford and the role Ten Hag played in shaping his exit.
Ronaldo’s Discontent with Ten Hag’s Leadership
The 39-year-old forward, regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, did not hold back in his critique of Erik ten Hag, whom he spent half a season under before leaving Manchester United. Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford for his second stint was met with great fanfare in the summer of 2021, but things quickly took a downturn as his relationship with Ten Hag soured.
Ronaldo claims that the Dutchman’s mentality is holding the club back from reaching its potential, arguing that United’s current struggles stem from the way Ten Hag approaches leadership and team management. “It’s about mentality,” Ronaldo explained. “The club can succeed, but only if the leadership is aligned with a winning mindset. I don’t think they have that right now.”
A Short-Lived Second Stint
Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United in the 2021-22 season was initially seen as a major coup, with fans hoping the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could help restore the club to its former dominance. However, the honeymoon period was short-lived, and by the time Ten Hag took over in the summer of 2022, Ronaldo found himself increasingly marginalized.
Under Ten Hag’s management, Ronaldo’s playing time was significantly reduced. The manager’s preference for a more pressing and dynamic style of play seemed incompatible with Ronaldo’s more traditional role as a target man. Tensions between the two reportedly boiled over behind the scenes, culminating in Ronaldo’s abrupt exit from the club in November 2022, just before the World Cup.
In January 2023, Ronaldo joined Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, marking the end of his second spell at Old Trafford. At the time, Ronaldo’s departure was framed as a mutual decision, but the forward has since made it clear that he felt pushed out by Ten Hag and the club’s leadership.
A Frustrating End
Ronaldo’s comments reflect his deep frustration with how his time at Manchester United ended. After a glittering first spell at the club between 2003 and 2009, where he won three Premier League titles and a Champions League, his second stint did not go according to plan. Despite scoring 24 goals in his first season back, Ronaldo was not part of Ten Hag’s long-term vision for the team.
“It was frustrating,” Ronaldo admitted. “I came back to help the club win titles again, but I wasn’t given the opportunity to do that. I felt like I still had so much to offer, but I wasn’t in the manager’s plans. That’s hard to accept as a player who has always wanted to win.”
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