Erik ten Hag rejects Ronaldo criticism as Man Utd boss accused of comment ‘you can’t say’ | Football | Sport

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has rejected recent criticism from Cristiano Ronaldo.

The pair did not see eye to eye during their time together at Old Trafford, which led to the striker seeing his contract at the club terminated in November 2022 following a tell-all interview which saw the former Real Madrid star take aim at his manager.

Ronaldo has since spoken openly about the break down in his relationship with Ten Hag, and the Al Nassr star has now accused the ex-Ajax boss of not embodying the optimism and positivity required at the Red Devils given the reputation of the club.

Ronaldo said: “The coach (Ten Hag), they say they cannot compete to win the (Premier) League and Champions League. Manchester United‘s coach, you cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the League or Champions League.

“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.”

Despite the eyebrow-raising criticism, Ten Hag insisted that Ronaldo was ‘entitled’ to have an opinion, regardless of whether he agreed with it or not.

Speaking on Thursday, the Dutchman explained: “He said that Manchester United can’t win the Premier League. He said this if you read the article very well. He’s far away in Saudi, far away from Manchester. Everyone can have an opinion. It’s okay.”