By our reporter 20.10.2026
Former Manchester United coach Eric ten Hag has revealed the cause of his feud with club legend Cristiano Ronaldo during their time together at Old Trafford.
The Dutch born coach joined United in the summer of 2022 and left in 2024. He was hopeful of working with Ronaldo who was making a comeback to Manchester United after leaving Real Madrid. But their relationship turned sour.
Ten Hag speaking to the Athletic in an interview said Ronaldo behaved badly towards the club where he made his name by staying out of training and also encouraging his teammates to “save their legs.”
“He let the team down, and he let me down, because we planned with him,” Ten Hag said.
“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 and keep the players I admire in.
“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.
“But he couldn’t. He did not run neither in possession nor out of possession. 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 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 and Ronaldo ultimately fell out in October 22. The coach dropped Ronaldo from the game against Chelsea because refused to come into a match against Tottenham as a substitute. Ronaldo later claimed he was betrayed by Ten Hag in an interview with Piers Morgan. His contract was terminated by United in November 22.
Ronaldo was Monday fined and suspended for 30 days by the Portugues Football Federation for putting up a similar show during the international break when he walked away from the Portuguese camp. He accused Portugal coach of Jorge Jesus of betrayal after he was dropped from the game against Norway.