Erik ten Hag recalls Ronaldo's time at Manchester United

Erik ten Hag, who previously managed Manchester United, has spoken about his experiences working with Cristiano Ronaldo. He reflected on Ronaldo's time at the club and shared his views on the player's performance and adaptability.

Ten Hag criticizes Ronaldo's team adaptability

Ten Hag suggested that Ronaldo struggled to adjust to the needs of the team during his time at Manchester United. He noted that while Ronaldo was an exceptional player, he had not maintained the same level of performance for several years, especially since his time at Juventus.

Real Madrid's decision to release Ronaldo

Ten Hag commented on Real Madrid's decision to let go of Ronaldo, suggesting that the club recognized when his performance started to decline. He acknowledged that Real Madrid understood the need to move on from a player, even if the public still saw him as a top performer.

Ronaldo's achievements at Juventus and Manchester United

Ronaldo's time at Juventus was marked by 101 goals in 133 matches, two Serie A titles, and a top scorer award in 2021. His return to Manchester United saw him score 24 goals in 38 matches during the 2021-2022 season, which some find difficult to reconcile with the idea of a player already past his prime.

Physical condition and team decisions

Ten Hag emphasized the importance of physical fitness in the Premier League, stating that without it, a player has no chance. He acknowledged that Ronaldo could still finish chances but needed to be in the right position to do so. He also mentioned that decisions had to be made in the interest of the team, even if it meant parting ways with a player of Ronaldo's caliber.

Contrasting past and present views on Ronaldo

Ten Hag's current comments contrast with his previous statements in 2022, when he believed Ronaldo could still score 20 goals in a season and wanted to keep him after his 24-goal season. However, he noted that Ronaldo's difficulties in collective play were already evident, and ultimately, it was Ronaldo's choice to leave the club.