Erik ten Hag blames Cristiano Ronaldo for unprofessionalism and broken promises at Manchester United

The Dutch manager alleges Ronaldo’s lack of effort and unfulfilled owner promises contributed to United’s poor 2022‑23 season.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 20 Oct 2026 13:58:32 GMT

Erik ten Hag said Cristiano Ronaldo "let the team down" and displayed unprofessional behaviour during their 2022‑23 partnership at Manchester United, according to statements reported by the Guardian and the Independent.

What happened

Ronaldo returned to United in August 2021 and was already at the club when ten Hag was appointed in April 2022. Early in the 2022‑23 season the forward refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham in October 2022, then criticised the club in a televised interview. His contract was terminated by mutual consent in November 2022. Ten Hag later said Ronaldo failed to complete the full training runs set after United were beaten 4‑0 by Brentford, completing only two of three laps. He also claimed the player missed training sessions and showed a lack of commitment in both possession and pressing drills.

What the reports add

The Guardian reported that ten Hag accused Ronaldo of letting the team down and also alleged that promises made by United’s owners were not fulfilled, citing a “hissacking” in October 2024 and the sale of Scott McTominay to Napoli without his consent. The Independent focused on Ronaldo’s unprofessionalism, noting his refusal to enter a match as a substitute, his subsequent ban from the first‑team squad for one game, and his limited training participation after the Brentford loss. Both outlets quote ten Hag’s interview with the Athletic, but the Guardian adds the owners’ broken promises while the Independent does not mention them.

What was said

"He let the team down, and he let me down, because we planned with him," ten Hag told the Athletic, as reported by the Guardian.
"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.’" the manager added, also cited by the Independent.
"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," ten Hag said, according to the Independent.

How it came about

Ten Hag took charge of United in April 2022, inheriting Ronaldo’s second spell that began the previous summer. The pair’s relationship quickly deteriorated, with Ronaldo missing much of pre‑season for personal reasons and being dropped after a slow start. The Tottenham incident in October 2022 and the Brentford thrashing in August 2022 intensified tensions. Ten Hag later left United in 2024 after a brief FA Cup win, becoming technical director at FC Twente. Earlier this month Felo reported on United’s ongoing squad issues, including Lisandro Martínez’s criticism of the club after a Champions League loss (Lisandro Martínez criticism) and the team’s 1‑1 draw with Tottenham (United‑Tottenham draw).

Key facts

Erik ten Hag said Cristiano Ronaldo let Manchester United down during the 2022‑23 season. (theguardian.com)
Ronaldo refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham in October 2022 and was later banned from the first‑team squad for one match. (independent.co.uk)
Ten Hag claimed Ronaldo completed only two of three training laps after United’s 4‑0 loss to Brentford. (independent.co.uk)
Ten Hag alleged that promises from United’s owners were not kept, including the sale of Scott McTominay to Napoli. (theguardian.com)

Where accounts differ

Whether ten Hag mentioned unfulfilled promises from United’s owners.: Ten Hag claimed promises made by United’s owners went unfulfilled, citing a hissacking in October 2024 and the sale of Scott McTominay. (theguardian.com); The Independent article does not mention any owner promises or the 2024 hissacking. (independent.co.uk)

Timeline

2022-04-01 — Erik ten Hag appointed Manchester United manager.
2022-08-01 — Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Manchester United for second spell.
2022-10-15 — Ronaldo refuses to come on as substitute against Tottenham.
2022-08-20 — United lose 4‑0 to Brentford; ten Hag later says Ronaldo missed training laps.
2022-11-01 — Ronalno's contract terminated by mutual consent.