Ex-Manchester United coach claims club 'wasted a great opportunity' to use Cristiano Ronaldo in the right way during stint at club
Former Manchester United first-team coach Benni McCarthy has slammed Erik ten Hag for not using Cristiano Ronaldo in the right manner. The under-fire Red Devils manager fell out with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner who eventually left the club in November 2022.
Cristiano Ronaldo made a sensational return to Manchester United in the summer of 2021 from Juventus. However, his second stint at the club ended prematurely after just one and a half seasons. The Portuguese superstar slammed the club and manager Ten Hag in an explosive interview with Piers Morgan in November 2022 which saw his contract getting terminated.
Benni McCarthy, who worked as Erik ten Hag's assistant at Old Trafford between 2022 and 2024, has now hit out at the Dutchman. The former South Africa international claimed that the Red Devils did not play Ronaldo to his strengths. He said, as quoted by Goal:
"If we work as a team and then let Cristiano do what he needs to do in his position, because he is the best in the world at it, that is ideal. I think Manchester United wasted a great opportunity to use Cristiano in the right way. But I was not the head coach and I could not be the one to make those decisions."
Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed a pretty solid first season in his second stint at Manchester United, being their top scorer. He scored 24 goals and provided three assists in 38 games for the Red Devils across competitions but his side could only salvage a sixth-placed finish.
The Portuguese superstar scored just three goals and produced two assists in 16 appearances in the 2022-23 season under Ten Hag. He then left in November 2022 and joined Al-Nassr in January 2023. He has been exceptional for Al-Nassr since his move, having scored 65 goals and provided 17 assists in 72 appearances.
Manchester United star credits Cristiano Ronaldo for his influence in his development
Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has acknowledged Cristiano Ronaldo for his influence behind his development as a player. The 25-year-old also revealed that he shares a really solid bond with the former Real Madrid and Juventus attacker. Dalot told Portuguese outlet A Bola:
"Cristiano always seeks to improve. I see myself fitting in with that, and he also noticed my desire to learn and get closer to him to benefit from him. This made our friendship grow and the time we spent together increased, which had a very positive impact on me, and since I knew him my career has developed, and I think that is thanks to his influence."
Diago Dalot and Cristiano Ronaldo share the dressing room for the Portuguese national team having formerly teamed up for the Red Devils. They have played a total of 59 games for club and country and have combined for one goal.