Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag responded to comments from Cristiano Ronaldo, saying he is “far away in Saudi.”
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Ten Hag hits back at Ronaldo
Ronaldo, a former Man United player, questioned Ten Hag’s mentality in a podcast hosted by Rio Ferdinand.
The 39-year-old said: “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.”
Ten Hag dismissed the comments, saying Ronaldo isn’t with United and doesn’t know the full situation.
“He said that; That Manchester United can’t win the Premier League,” Ten Hag said.
“He said this. If you read the article very well. He is far away in Saudi, far away from Manchester so everyone can have an opinion and is entitled to have an opinion. It is OK.”
“It doesn’t impact me”
Ronaldo, now with Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr, had a public falling out with Ten Hag after criticizing him in an explosive interview with Piers Morgan, which ultimately led to his departure from Old Trafford.
Ten Hag, whose contract was extended until 2026, stated he’d rather focus on his team than escalate tensions with Ronaldo.
United currently has one win and two losses this Premier League season.
“It doesn’t impact me,” Ten Hag said. “I know in the process where we are, where we’re going. We’re in the transition period, we have to integrate a lot of young players in the team.”
“We have to bring the injuries back into the team. Before anyone thinks about excuses, we have to win every game, I know that. The team knows this. We will focus on every game and have the mindset we have to win.”
