Was Cristiano Ronaldo Ever a Problem at Man Utd?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Erik Ten Hag insists that Cristiano Ronaldo was not the problem at Manchester United.
- Ronaldo departed the club in 2023 after a fallout with Ten Hag.
- Ten Hag won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup during his tenure.
- Ronaldo critiques the mindset of the current Manchester United coach.
- Ronaldo is currently in form, scoring a hat-trick in a recent match.
New Delhi, Aug 9 (NationPress) The former head coach of Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, has asserted that Cristiano Ronaldo was never the issue at the club, suggesting that the complications were more profound than the Portuguese forward, who departed under less than favorable circumstances during Ten Hag's tenure.
Ronaldo transitioned to the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr in 2023 after losing his standing within the squad under Ten Hag.
"For me, it is no issue; he was never the problem. I believe it was about the circumstances. That's the past, and afterwards, we clinched two trophies with Manchester United. I wish him nothing but success in the future," Ten Hag stated.
Under Ten Hag's leadership, the Red Devils captured both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup before his dismissal midway through the 2024/25 season. After taking some time to recharge, he took the helm at Bayer Leverkusen. His remarks came following a 0-2 defeat against Chelsea in a pre-season friendly.
Two years post his exit from United, Ronaldo criticized Ten Hag's mindset and approach, asserting that a Manchester United coach should not adopt a mentality of not contending for the league and Champions League titles.
"They need a complete overhaul, in my view. The coach says they can't compete for the League and Champions League. A Manchester United coach should never express that they won't fight for these titles. You must be mentally prepared to say, 'Perhaps we lack that potential, but I won't declare that. We will strive to succeed.' You have to try," Ronaldo remarked in a podcast with former teammate Rio Ferdinand.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo is poised for the upcoming season, having netted a hat-trick against Liga Portugal's Rio Ave F.C., and is set to play against Al-Ittihad Club on Tuesday in the semi-finals of the Saudi Super Cup.