Erik ten Hag has offered a fresh explanation for Cristiano Ronaldo’s troubled second spell at Manchester United, claiming the forward was not physically prepared to meet the demands of his team.
Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford ended in November 2022 after a prolonged breakdown in relations with Ten Hag. The former United manager has now said the issue extended beyond the Portuguese star’s willingness to press.
Erik ten Hag explains Cristiano Ronaldo dispute
Speaking in an interview, Ten Hag said Ronaldo’s contribution was limited both when United had possession and when they were trying to win the ball back.
“He ran neither in possession nor out of possession. The reason was because he didn’t prepare himself,” Ten Hag said.
He added: “Every top team has to embrace the top player, but the top player has to work for the team…”
Ten Hag reportedly felt Ronaldo’s training levels were below the standard required, including after United’s heavy 4-0 defeat by Brentford in August 2022.
The manager’s comments suggest he believed Ronaldo was not reaching the physical level needed to contribute effectively within the team’s structure. While the forward remained a prolific finisher, Ten Hag was attempting to build a more intense and coordinated Manchester United side.
That difference in expectations helped fuel a relationship which later deteriorated in public. Ronaldo left the club after giving a controversial interview to Piers Morgan, bringing his second spell at United to an acrimonious conclusion.
Ronaldo, now 41, has also been handed a 30-day suspension by the Portuguese Football Federation after leaving the national-team camp following a dispute over his role. The incident does not establish that Ten Hag was right about every aspect of their time together, but it reflects the difficulty of balancing the status of legendary players with the demands of a team system.
