Although Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United two years ago, his relationship with head coach Erik ten Hag continues to attract attention. Former assistant manager Steve McClaren recently shared insights into why Ronaldo “fell short” of Ten Hag’s expectations.
“I couldn’t fault Ten Hag’s approach,” McClaren told The Telegraph. “He managed the situation well, and I believed he was the right choice for the role, as demonstrated in how he handled Ronaldo.”
McClaren explained that Ten Hag established clear standards and rules, emphasizing that players who didn’t put in the effort wouldn’t play. “He was firm on that because he understood what was necessary,” he said. While Ten Hag attempted to accommodate Ronaldo, he ultimately decided it was more important to focus on developing other players.
Ronaldo departed United in 2022 under “mutual consent” after an explosive interview with Piers Morgan, where he claimed the club forced him out and criticized Ten Hag for a lack of respect.
Recently, in a discussion with former teammate Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo expressed his enduring affection for United and wished the club well, stating, “We cannot control everything in life, but it’s done now.”
He also offered his perspective on Ten Hag’s coaching style, suggesting the need for a different mentality at the club. He emphasized that Manchester United should aspire to compete for the Premier League and Champions League titles every year, insisting, “You have to try.”