Signing you in

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“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 and keep the players I admire in,” he added.

Ten Hag said Ronaldo’s preparation was another source of frustration. According to the former manager, he missed some training sessions, did not work at the required intensity in others and stopped short of completing the running exercise set for the squad after the 4-0 loss to Brentford early in the 2022-23 season.

“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.”

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Ten Hag also believed Ronaldo’s approach had an effect on some of his teammates.

“Players have to act, they have a big responsibility. Football is, for some, not the highest priority. And United for some wasn’t the highest priority.”

Ronaldo returned to Manchester United from Juventus in August 2021 and scored 24 goals in 38 appearances in his first season back at Old Trafford. However, his relationship with the club deteriorated after Ten Hag took over as manager in May 2022.

Ronaldo started the 2022-23 season with United but gradually lost his place in the team. In October, he refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur and left Old Trafford before the final whistle. Ten Hag subsequently dropped him for the game against Chelsea.

In November 2022, Ronaldo gave an interview to Piers Morgan in which he criticised United and said he had “no respect” for Ten Hag. United later announced that month that Ronaldo would leave the club with immediate effect by mutual agreement. He joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in December 2022.