Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has reignited his long-running dispute with Cristiano Ronaldo, accusing the Portuguese superstar of letting down both the team and the manager during their time together at Old Trafford.
More than three years after their relationship collapsed, Ten Hag has finally offered his version of events, claiming Ronaldo struggled with his fitness, failed to prepare properly and did not contribute enough to the team’s overall performance.
Speaking in an interview with The Athletic published on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, the Dutchman explained why he eventually decided that keeping Ronaldo in his Manchester United squad was no longer the right option.
‘He Let the Team Down’
Ten Hag did not hold back when discussing his experience of working with one of football’s most celebrated players.
“He let the team down, and he let me down, because we planned with him,” the former United manager said.
Despite his criticism, Ten Hag was quick to acknowledge Ronaldo’s extraordinary achievements in football. However, he insisted that the forward’s reputation could not exempt him from the responsibilities expected of every player.
“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,” he added.
For Ten Hag, the issue was not Ronaldo’s name or reputation. It was whether the superstar was prepared to meet the demands of the team.
One of Ten Hag’s biggest complaints concerned Ronaldo’s preparation and his contribution during training and matches.
The former Ajax manager claimed the forward sometimes withdrew from training sessions and did not reach the fitness levels he expected. He also recalled an incident following Manchester United’s humiliating 4-0 defeat against Brentford in August 2022.
Ten Hag had ordered his players to complete additional running as a response to their disappointing performance. According to the manager, Ronaldo completed only two of the three laps required.
Ten Hag also rejected suggestions that he had unfairly expected the veteran forward to press opponents relentlessly.
He argued that Ronaldo was struggling to get himself into the right positions to score, even when his teammates were working to create opportunities for him.
“Every top team has to embrace the top player, but the top player has to work for the team,” Ten Hag explained.
He also claimed Ronaldo had encouraged teammates to conserve their energy during training, something he believed was inappropriate for players who still needed to reach the required fitness levels.
Ronaldo returned to Manchester United in August 2021, bringing enormous excitement to Old Trafford after previously establishing himself as one of the club’s greatest players under Sir Alex Ferguson.
However, the atmosphere changed following Ten Hag’s appointment in 2022.
Ronaldo struggled to secure a regular starting place and became increasingly frustrated with his role in the team. Tensions escalated in October 2022 when he refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur and subsequently left the touchline before the final whistle.
Ten Hag responded by leaving him out of the squad for United’s next match.
The situation deteriorated further when Ronaldo gave a controversial television interview in November 2022, publicly criticising the club and expressing his lack of respect for Ten Hag.
His Manchester United contract was subsequently terminated by mutual agreement, bringing his second spell at Old Trafford to an abrupt end.
Ronaldo joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in December 2022.
Ronaldo’s supporters have long pointed to his remarkable goalscoring record, professionalism and status as one of the greatest players in football history.
However, Ten Hag’s latest comments suggest that the manager believed past achievements were not enough to guarantee the forward a place in his plans.
The Dutchman maintained that managers must make decisions based on what benefits the team, even when those decisions involve established superstars.
For a club attempting to rebuild its identity and return to the top of English football, Ten Hag believed that every player had to demonstrate the right commitment.
His comments also highlight the difficult balance managers face when handling players whose reputations and influence extend far beyond the dressing room.
