Man Utd: McClaren describes ‘battles on the training field’ between Ronaldo and Ten Hag
Joe Williams Cristiano Ronaldo and Steve McClaren share a laugh.
Former Man Utd assistant Steve McClaren has revealed that there were “a lot of battles on that training field” between Cristiano Ronaldo and Erik ten Hag.
The Portugal international left?Man Utd?in controversial circumstances at the end of 2022 by airing out his dirty laundry in an interview with Piers Morgan, following a heated fall-out with Ten Hag.
Ronaldo?had his contract mutually terminated as he snubbed interest from across Europe to sign for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in a mammoth pay day.
In the interview with Morgan, Ronaldo said of Ten Hag:?“I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me. If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never going to have respect for you.”
Before he later doubled down on his criticism of the Dutchman, who he claimed wasn’t up to a job of that magnitude.
Ronaldo said: “(As) Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the League or?Champions League.
READ:?Top ten Premier League declines of the season features Arsenal quartet
“You have to be, to mentally say, listen, maybe we don’t have that potential, but I cannot say that. We’re going to try. You have to try.”
And Ten Hag’s former assistant McClaren has revealed that events leading up to their fall-out that would end Ronaldo’s time at Man Utd.
McClaren said on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast: “There was a lot of battles on that training field. There was a lot of ‘all I want you to do is this, this, this and this.’ That was Erik’s coaching – Ronnie this is your job.
“I used to say to Ronnie, ‘all he [Ten Hag] wants you to do is, you’re the first press, make one run, make two runs, and maybe make a third one, if you feel like it. And then, recover back into the middle, in case we win the ball, and then we can play to you. That’s all he wants you to do.’
“‘If you can’t do that, you won’t be playing. Or if you won’t do that, you can’t be playing. Okay, or he [Ten Hag] won’t pick you. I’m telling you, he won’t pick you.’
“It’s not like, I think other people would, and that’s the difference, other people would. But Erik was, no, I’m doing that, and he’s [Ronaldo] got to do it, otherwise he doesn’t play.
“It was a little bit of a fight. Not a fight, but a standoff, and who is going to win? Erik stuck to his guns. I think most managers would accommodate to that. some managers are like that. But he stuck to his guns.”
MORE MANCHESTER UNITED COVERAGE ON F365… *?Klopp rejected Man Utd, Chelsea and two other jobs after Liverpool, agent reveals *?Neville reveals ‘the worst decision Amorim made’ at Man Utd with one star ‘killed’ *?Arsenal star Odegaard tells agent to ‘open talks’ with Man Utd as ‘likely new captain’ named
The Man Utd and Real Madrid legend spoke as recently as November last year on the club’s latest situation with Ruben Amorim going through a poor run of results at the time.
Ronaldo told Morgan: “For me, I’m sad because of the club, that’s one of the most important clubs in the world, and a club that I still have in my heart because of the obvious reasons.
“You have to follow with the intelligent people, smart people, to create a base for the future as Manchester United have [done] so many years ago.
“Nicky Butt, Gary [Neville], Roy Keane, [David] Beckham, they became big players but they had youth. So Manchester United right now, they don’t have a structure.
“I hope that changes in the future, present/future, because the potential of the club, it’s amazing. It’s one of the most important clubs of the century.”
Asked by Morgan: “Do you still look out for United results. And does it hurt you to see how badly they do?”
Ronaldo replied: “Of course. Of course.
“Because I was there so many years. I win the Champions League there, I win the golden ball, I win like 12, 13, 14 titles there.
“So I repeat, Manchester United is still in my heart. I love that club.
“But we have all to be honest and look for ourselves and say, “Listen, they are not in a good path”. So, they need to change and it’s not only about the coach and players, in my opinion.”
Man Utd are in a healthier position now with interim head coach Michael Carrick taking 13 points from his first five matches to get the Red Devils into the top four of the Premier League.
Manchester United Cristiano Ronaldo
Related Articles
Jason Soutar
Salah, Suarez, Henry: Top ten individual seasons in Premier League history
Here are the ten best individual seasons in Premier League history, with 2024/25 Mohamed Salah crashing into the top five.
Topical Top Ten Cristiano Ronaldo Will Ford
Ranking replacements for the 25 best forwards in Premier League history
As Liverpool ponder who can replace Salah we bring you a ranking of the successors to the best 25 forwards in Premier League history. It’s been a predictably tough task.
F365 Features Cristiano Ronaldo Joe Williams
Cristiano Ronaldo: Almeria open door to incredible player-owner role for Man Utd, Real Madrid legend
UD Almeria manager Rubi has opened the door to Man Utd and Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo playing for the Spanish outfit.
Premier League Cristiano Ronaldo Editor F365
Will Cristiano Ronaldo launch Manchester United takeover after ownership ‘hint’ and ‘fix’ message?
Cristiano Ronaldo using Saudi links to buy a 25 per cent stake in a Spanish second-tier club is obviously his first step towards owning Man Utd.
Mediawatch Cristiano Ronaldo Joe Williams
Man Utd add shock name to manager shortlist after Ronaldo gives seal of approval
Man Utd have reportedly added Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez to their shortlist of candidates who could become permanent manager.
Manchester United Cristiano Ronaldo Lewis Oldham
Cristiano Ronaldo with Kylian Mbappe, ex-Chelsea pair as footballer-turned-owner after Almeria deal
Cristiano Ronaldo has made the most of his links with PIF to join Kylian Mbappe and a former Chelsea pair as a footballer-turned owner…
F365 Features Cristiano Ronaldo
Latest Football News
Tottenham player-manager one of seven interim ‘options’ to replace Igor Tudor
Ben Davies Harry Redknapp
Tottenham next manager timeframe revealed after Tudor exit as ‘Spurs man’ backed
Igor Tudor
Tottenham confirm Igor Tudor exit and tease ‘new Head Coach’
Igor Tudor Roberto De Zerbi
‘Not Harvard English’ – Toni Kroos confused by Geordie accent as brother Felix hails Newcastle ‘summer’
Toni Kroos
Hungary manager hits out at Arne Slot ‘nonsense’ after telling Liverpool boss ‘not to interfere’
Arne Slot Mailbox
Man Utd ‘in purgatory’ under Carrick as Klopp ‘logic’ dispels top replacement doubts
Michael Carrick
Carrick in or out? Man Utd would be stupid to rush manager decision
Michael Carrick Popular
Rashford, Foden, Gordon to Liverpool proposed as Salah debate rages on
Mohamed Salah Popular
Mo Salah is no Luis Suarez; the Liverpool fan verdict is in
Mohamed Salah Popular Premier League Table Full Table
#
TEAM
P
W
D
L
GD
PTS
View More
Mediawatch
Arsenal star ‘called out’ as Spurs handed ‘huge boost’ and World Cup ‘nightmare’ emerges
Viktor Gyokeres
Arsenal face summer ‘transfer conundrum’ as Mo Salah ‘dream club’ revealed
Mohamed Salah Popular
Salah exit prompts ‘genuine concern’ about Premier League as two Liverpool mysteries solved
Mo Salah Popular
Arsenal season starting to unravel as ‘injury crisis’ hits at ‘worst possible time’
Copyright Notice: The content of this article is contributed by Internet users. The views only represent the author. This site only provides information storage services and does not own ownership or bear relevant legal responsibilities. If you find any suspected infringement or illegal content, please contact us. We will delete it immediately after verification.