‘He handled it well’ – Man Utd former assistant reveals details of Erik ten Hag & Cristiano Ronaldo bust-up

Erik ten Hag’s former assistant manager, Steve McClaren, has shared insights into Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from Manchester United, asserting that Ten Hag managed the situation effectively.

The conflict between Ten Hag and Ronaldo recently resurfaced when the striker publicly criticized his former manager, stating he had “no respect” for him and outlining changes he would implement to restore the club’s success.

Ronaldo, who had two tenures at United, won multiple titles including three Premier League championships, the Champions League, and the FA Cup during his first six years. However, his latest stint ended with a mutual contract termination halfway through his second season due to disagreements with Ten Hag.

McClaren believes Ten Hag’s response was appropriate, emphasizing that the Dutch manager established clear standards and expectations. “I couldn’t fault his approach,” he stated in an interview with The Telegraph. “He managed the situation well and was the right person to step in. He set firm rules regarding effort and playing style, making it clear that players who didn’t meet these standards wouldn’t play.”

He noted that Ten Hag’s firmness was necessary, contrasting it with previous managers like Ralf Rangnick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who had attempted to adapt but faced challenges.

Additionally, McClaren expressed confidence in Ten Hag’s potential to lead Manchester United to success, praising the achievements of his first season and acknowledging injury struggles in the second. He remarked on the difficult nature of the role, which had been recognized by previous managers. He believes that with support from Ineos, United can thrive under Ten Hag’s leadership if they maintain unity and focus.Steve McClaren’s insights into Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure highlight how Erik ten Hag handled the situation with professionalism and clear expectations. According to McClaren, Ten Hag set firm standards regarding player effort and playing style, ensuring that anyone not meeting these requirements wouldn’t play. This approach was crucial in maintaining discipline and consistency, especially in a squad with high-profile players like Ronaldo. McClaren contrasts Ten Hag’s decisiveness with the approaches of previous managers such as Ralf Rangnick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who faced challenges in managing similar situations.

Ronaldo’s public criticism of Ten Hag, where he mentioned having “no respect” for his former manager, reflects the tension between the two during the Portuguese forward’s second stint at Manchester United. Despite this, McClaren believes that Ten Hag’s firm response was necessary to build a competitive and cohesive team.

McClaren also expressed optimism about Ten Hag’s future at United, citing his successful first season and recognizing the injury setbacks in the second. With the potential backing from Ineos, McClaren sees a path for Ten Hag to lead the club to success, provided they maintain unity and focus.