Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has reopened discussions surrounding his troubled relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo, claiming the Portuguese superstar struggled to maintain the physical intensity required to compete at the highest level.
The Dutchman, now technical director at FC Twente, made the remarks during Sunday’s edition of ESPN NL’s *Goedemorgen Eredivisie*, reflecting on the circumstances that contributed to Ronaldo’s departure from Old Trafford in 2022.
Ten Hag acknowledged Ronaldo’s extraordinary career but maintained that his fitness and approach to training had become major concerns.
“He is of course a tremendous player, one of the greats of all time,” Ten Hag said.
However, he argued that Ronaldo’s performances had declined since his time at Juventus, insisting that his reputation no longer reflected his physical capabilities.
According to the former United manager, the problem extended beyond Ronaldo’s age to his ability to maintain the demanding training standards necessary for elite football.
“He could no longer bring himself to push through the pain, to give everything every single day and to train at his maximum in order to get fit,” he claimed.
Ten Hag explained that he had discussed Ronaldo’s responsibilities before taking charge at Manchester United, outlining how the forward would fit into his tactical system.
Despite granting him special consideration because of his status, the Dutchman insisted that every player remained accountable to the team’s collective objectives.
“Every top team must embrace the top player, but the top player must work for the team. And that was simply the problem with Ronaldo,” he stated.
Ronaldo returned to United from Juventus in 2021 but endured a difficult relationship with Ten Hag after losing his regular starting position.
The disagreement eventually culminated in his November 2022 departure following a controversial interview with Piers Morgan, during which he accused the manager and club hierarchy of betrayal.
Ten Hag also attributed Ronaldo’s early struggles under his management to a delayed return for pre-season preparations.
He maintained that the forward’s lack of match fitness affected his ability to meet Premier League demands.
Comparing Ronaldo’s situation with Lionel Messi’s role in Argentina’s national team, Ten Hag argued that even football’s greatest individuals must make sacrifices for collective success.
“No one is bigger than a club or a country,” he said.
The Dutchman nevertheless rejected suggestions that his experiences at Manchester United had left him resentful.
He praised the club’s supporters and recalled his positive relationships with staff despite the circumstances surrounding his eventual departure.
“United gave me so much and I worked there with such great pleasure,” he said.
Ten Hag maintained that his decisions regarding Ronaldo were guided by the team’s interests rather than personal disagreements, insisting that individual reputation could not outweigh collective performance.
Ezeana Emmanuel
