Ten Hag Questions Ronaldo’s Fitness and Commitment at Manchester United
Erik ten Hag has questioned Cristiano Ronaldo’s fitness and commitment during their brief spell together at Manchester United, offering a blunt assessment of the forward’s role under his management.
What changed for the club
Ten Hag said he did not consider Ronaldo sufficiently fit or committed while they worked together at Old Trafford. The remarks revisit a strained period in the 2022-23 season, when the Portugal international’s place in the United side became a major issue.
Ronaldo left Manchester United in November 2022, ending his second spell at the club by mutual agreement following an interview in which he criticised Ten Hag and the club’s leadership.
Competition context
Ronaldo had returned to United in August 2021 and finished as the club’s leading scorer in his first season back. However, his involvement reduced after Ten Hag’s appointment in the summer of 2022.
The forward made limited starts during the opening months of Ten Hag’s first campaign, with the manager selecting other options as United competed across domestic and European competitions.
What is scheduled next
Ronaldo continued his career with Al Nassr after leaving Manchester United, while Ten Hag’s comments add further perspective to the circumstances surrounding the player’s departure from Old Trafford.
