Cristiano Ronaldo let Manchester United down says Ten Hag

Ronaldo was in his second spell at Manchester United when Ten Hag took charge in the summer of 2022.

However, their relationship deteriorated within months, eventually leading to the forward’s controversial departure from the Premier League club.

Speaking to The Athletic, Ten Hag explained that he had made plans involving Ronaldo before taking the managerial position, but the situation ultimately forced him to make difficult decisions.

"He let the team down, and he let me down, because we planned with him," Ten Hag told The Athletic.

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"I flew out to Portugal to speak with him about what I was aiming for before I came to the United States.

"Obviously, he’s one of the best in football history. I respected him a lot. But at that time, as a manager, I had to make a rational decision and keep the players I admire in."

Tensions reached a turning point in October 2022 when Ten Hag dropped Ronaldo from Manchester United’s squad for their Premier League encounter with Chelsea.

The decision came after Ronaldo refused to come on as a substitute during United’s match against Tottenham Hotspur three days earlier.

The incident intensified speculation about the forward’s future at Old Trafford and highlighted the growing breakdown in his relationship with the manager.

Ronaldo eventually left Manchester United in November 2022 after his contract was terminated by mutual agreement, bringing his second spell at the club to an abrupt end.

Ten Hag’s latest comments offer further insight into the disagreement, which became one of the defining controversies of his early tenure at Manchester United.

Despite the fallout, the Dutch manager acknowledged Ronaldo’s standing in football history while maintaining that his responsibilities as manager required him to make decisions in the best interests of the team.