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Ten Hag says Ronaldo could not meet Manchester United’s demands
Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has renewed his criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo in an interview with ESPN.
Ten Hag said Ronaldo’s decline began during his time at Juventus, and claimed the forward had not delivered consistently at the highest level for seven or eight years.
He also said Ronaldo could still score but was no longer willing to put himself through the physical work needed to compete in the Premier League.
Their relationship worsened during the 2022-23 season, when Ten Hag left Ronaldo out of the team and the forward later criticised the club publicly.
Ten Hag said he left Ronaldo out for the good of the team, arguing that no player should come before the club.
In an earlier interview, he also accused Ronaldo of letting him and the team down; the two have spoken publicly about their fallout in recent weeks.
Erik ten Hag said Cristiano Ronaldo could not consistently meet the physical and team demands of Manchester United.
In an interview with ESPN, Ten Hag said Ronaldo had not delivered at the highest level for seven or eight years, adding that his decline began at Juventus.
Ten Hag said a top player must make way for the team and defended his decision to leave Ronaldo out of the side.
He also praised Real Madrid for selling Ronaldo when it judged his level was declining.
The comments renew a public dispute between Ten Hag and Ronaldo over their time together at Manchester United.
- Who
- Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag and forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
- What
- Ten Hag said Ronaldo could not meet the team and fitness demands at Manchester United. He questioned the forward’s commitment and ability to deliver consistently.
- When
- Ten Hag’s ESPN interview was reported on November 1 and 2, 2026. The interview date is not stated.
- Where
- The comments concerned Ronaldo’s time at Manchester United, and were made in an interview with ESPN.
- Why
- Ten Hag said his choices, including leaving Ronaldo out of the team, were in the interests of the club and the team.
Erik ten Hag
Cristiano Ronaldo
Team demands
Erik ten Hag
Ten Hag said Ronaldo needed to make way for the team and meet the physical demands of the Premier League.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo’s specific response to these latest comments is not stated.
Their falling-out
Erik ten Hag
Ten Hag said he had to make choices in the interests of the team and club.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo previously accused Ten Hag of “betraying” him in a public interview, according to the Daily Mail.
The relationship between Ten Hag and Ronaldo deteriorated, and Ronaldo was dropped after refusing to …
The Athletic published an interview in which Ten Hag accused Ronaldo of letting the team and him down.
The Daily Mail reported Ten Hag’s latest comments about Ronaldo in an interview with ESPN.
India Today published a report on Ten Hag’s comments and criticism of Ronaldo.
- Interview outlet
- ESPN
- Manchester United spell
- The relationship deteriorated during the 2022-23 season
- Ten Hag’s claim
- Ronaldo had not delivered for seven or eight years
- Ronaldo’s club after United
- Al-Nassr, which he joined in January 2023
- Earlier interview
- The Athletic, published October 20, 2026
3 sources
Erik Ten Hag tears into Cristiano Ronaldo, questions hunger to succeed for Man Utd
Ten Hag diz que Cristiano Ronaldo 'acabou' após passagem pela Juventus
Erik ten Hag launches latest attack on Cristiano Ronaldo: Former Man United boss claims Portugal star's career was OVER by time he joined Juventus
What people are saying
Every top team must embrace the top player, but the top player must also make way for the team. That was simply the problem with Ronaldo.
He couldn't bring himself to torture himself anymore. To give it his all every day. To get fit. If you aren't fit in the Premier League, you stand no chance.
But the reality is also that he hasn't been able to deliver for the last seven or eight years. From Juventus onwards, it was simply over.
No one is bigger than a club or a country. Not even Cristiano Ronaldo. Not even Messi. Ultimately, the team always comes first.