Erik ten Hag hits back at Cristiano Ronaldo criticism over Manchester United ambition

LONDON – Erik ten Hag has brushed aside Cristiano Ronaldo’s criticism about his ambition at struggling Manchester United, saying that the Portugal star is “far from Manchester”.

Ronaldo’s second spell at United

ended in a high-profile break-up in November 2022

after he made stinging comments about his Dutch manager.

The Al-Nassr striker, 39, again hit out at ten Hag earlier this week, saying

his attitude was too negative

for a club of United’s stature.

Ronaldo told the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast: “Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the (Premier) League or Champions League. You have to mentally say, ‘Listen, maybe we don’t have that potential but I cannot say that. We’re going to try’.”

He also said the club needed to “rebuild everything”.

Ten Hag, meanwhile, has said he is “quite confident” of claiming more silverware this campaign after lifting the League Cup and FA Cup over the past two seasons.

But he admitted in July his team are a “long way away” from being ready to win the Premier League, with United not crowned England champions since Alex Ferguson’s final season in charge in 2013. They endured their worst league campaign last term, finishing eighth.

The Red Devils travel to Southampton on Sept 14 for their Premier League clash, having lost two of their three games this season and are lying in 14th in the standings.

Asked ahead of the match about Ronaldo’s comments regarding his mentality, ten Hag said on Sept 12: “He’s far away in Saudi, far from Manchester. Everyone is entitled to have an opinion. It’s OK.”

Ronaldo’s interview came after an international break that immediately followed

United’s humiliating 3-0 loss at home to bitter rivals Liverpool.

But ten Hag said he did not let the defeat affect him.

“It doesn’t impact me,” he said. “I know in the process where we are, what we have to do, where we are going.

“I have said before we are still in a transition period. We have to integrate a lot of young players also in the team.

“We are still dealing with injuries. But before anyone thinks about excuses, no, we (still) have to win every game. We will focus on every game and have in every game the mindset that we have to win.”

Ten Hag also confirmed that forward Rasmus Hojlund and defender Luke Shaw were unavailable for the trip to promoted Saints. Both have yet to make an appearance this season through injury.

Midfielder Manuel Ugarte, however, could make his debut after joining from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day. AFP, REUTERS