Cristiano Ronaldo took issue with demands made by Ten Hag during training, contributed to his Manchester United exit - Reports
Cristiano Ronaldo was reportedly unwilling to follow manager Erik ten Hag's tactical orders at Manchester United, which ultimately led to his departure. The differences between the duo saw the Portuguese star's contract mutually terminated in November 2022.
As per a report in The Athletic, Ten Hag wanted Ronaldo to be the first line of defense. He wanted the forward to press the defenders and then attack the goalkeeper before getting into position. However, the former Real Madrid made no such efforts in training and during the matches.
The report adds that the forward did not see the approach as the ideal use of his abilities nor were they seen as ways to win matches. Ronaldo admitted that he had no respect for the Manchester United manager in his explosive interview with Piers Morgan and said:
"I don't have respect for him [Ten Hag] because he doesn't show respect for me. If you don't have respect for me, I'm never gonna have respect for you."
The Athletic have added that Casemiro and Raphael Varane also had similar issues with Ten Hag. Both players were unhappy with the manager commanding them to be in position and not have the freedom they got at Real Madrid.
Cristiano Ronaldo believes Erik ten Hag was not the only one who wanted him out of Manchester United
In his interview with Piers Morgan back in 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo stated that not just Ten Hag but there were some senior level executives at Manchester United who wanted him out as well. He claimed:
"Manchester United tried to force me out. Not only the manager, but the other two or three guys who are around the club [at the senior executive level]. I felt betrayed. I don't care, people should listen to the truth. Yes, I felt betrayed. I feel that some people didn't want me here, not only this year but last season too."
When quizzed about the surprise move to Old Trafford back in 2021, Ronaldo revealed that he was going to join Manchester City, but Sir Alex Ferguson called him to make a Manchester United return. He added:
"I followed my heart. He [Ferguson] said to me, 'It's impossible for you to come to Manchester City,' and I said, 'OK, Boss.' The progress was zero. Since Sir Alex left, I saw no evolution in the club. Nothing had changed. He [Ferguson] knows better than anybody that the club is not on the path they deserve to be. He knows. Everyone knows. The people who don't see that. It's because they don't want to see; they are blind."
Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Al Nassr after his contract at Manchester United was terminated in November 2022. He has been with the Saudi Pro League side since, where he moved in December 2022, just more than a week after the FIFA World Cup's conclusion.