Erik ten Hag has criticised Cristiano Ronaldo, claiming the Manchester United icon "let the team down" by failing to train properly, but the former Red Devils boss has been accused of lying by Piers Morgan, the unofficial head of the CR7 fan club.
Ten Hag's Allegations Over Training
The Dutch boss, sacked by United in October 2024 after a poor run of results, alleged the five-time Ballon d'Or winner pulled out of training sessions and managed just two of three laps demanded during a run at Carrington. This came the day after a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Brentford at the start of the 2022/23 season, before Ronaldo had his contract terminated by United weeks later.
Ten Hag, 56, now technical director of Eredivisie club Twente, publicly criticised Ronaldo's preparation standards and recalled confronting the veteran at the time over his lack of effort. Speaking to The Athletic, he said: "I confronted him with this. Many times I say, 'Ronnie, everyone wants to work for you to bring you in the right position, but if you can't bring yourself in the box, you can't score'.
"He was not capable to do this. It's the wrong idea to put this to me that I expected him to do the pressing, that he's exhausted. But he couldn't. He ran neither in possession nor out of possession."
Ronaldo's Preparation Standards Questioned
Ten Hag elaborated: "The reason was because he didn't prepare himself. Every top team has to embrace the top player, but the top player has to work for the team."
He also revealed: "He was telling the players, 'Save your legs at the training'. I understand it when you are top fit; you have sessions, you can save the legs. But first you have to train yourself to get into the right fitness levels."
Ten Hag added: "He let the team down, and he let me down, because we planned with him. I flew out to Portugal to speak with him about what I was aiming for before I came to United. Obviously, he's one of the best in football history. I respected him a lot. But at that time, as a manager, I had to make a rational decision."
Morgan's Response and Ronaldo's Reaction
Ten Hag's remarks sparked backlash from some fans on social media, with chief Ronaldo fanboy Morgan among those who blasted the former United boss, accusing him of being dishonest, reports the Mirror. The broadcaster wrote on X: "WHAT? This is a disgusting travesty of the truth."
In an interview with Piers Morgan Uncensored, broadcast just days before his exit was confirmed in 2022, Ronaldo fired: "I don't have respect for him (Ten Hag) because he doesn't show respect for me."
He continued: "If you don't have respect for me, I'm never gonna have respect for you. Not only the manager, but the other two or three guys who are around the club. I felt betrayed. I don't care, people should listen to the truth. Yes, I felt betrayed. I feel that some people didn't want me here, not only this year but last season too."
Ronaldo, 41, who last month walked out on Portugal after being left on the bench by manager Jorge Jesus, is currently playing for Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr, where he's bagged five goals across nine appearances this campaign. He found the net in last Monday's 3-1 triumph over Neftchi Fergana, leaving him just 19 strikes away from reaching the 1000-goal milestone.
Ten Hag's Career After United
Ten Hag lifted the FA Cup and Carabao Cup during his time at United, but also presided over some of the most embarrassing defeats in the club's history, including a record-equalling 7-0 defeat to bitter rivals Liverpool. He was announced as Bayer Leverkusen's new head coach ahead of the 2025-26 season, but was sacked that September, after just three matches.
