Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has firmly responded to Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent criticisms, stating, “He’s far away in Saudi Arabia.” This remark underscores the distance not only in geography but also in perspective between the former star and the current state of the club.
Just weeks into the new season, a sense of urgency is palpable at Old Trafford. With two losses in the first three English Premier League matches, Ten Hag finds himself once again looking up at his competitors. Ronaldo, a club legend, has called for a complete overhaul, stating that United must “rebuild everything” if they wish to compete at the highest level.
“They have to rebuild from the bottom. If not, they cannot compete. It will be impossible,” Ronaldo expressed during an interview on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.
Ronaldo’s previous exit from United was marked by controversy, particularly after his explosive interview with Piers Morgan in 2022, where he openly criticized Ten Hag. His latest remarks, which accuse the manager of miscommunicating the club’s ambitions, arrive at a challenging moment for Ten Hag, who is striving to recover from last season’s dismal performance—the worst league finish for the club in 34 years.
In response, Ten Hag acknowledged Ronaldo’s right to an opinion but emphasized his focus on the team’s progress. “So, he’s far away in Saudi Arabia, far from Manchester. Everyone is entitled to have an opinion. It’s okay,” he remarked.
However, Ronaldo’s comments have reignited scrutiny on Ten Hag, especially following disappointing losses to Liverpool and Fulham, despite a win against Brighton.
The team’s next challenge comes against Southampton on Saturday, marking the beginning of a tough stretch that includes matches against Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, and a home encounter with Tottenham.
Ten Hag managed to retain his position after an internal review during the summer, with new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe supporting him by facilitating six new signings. The club’s leadership has publicly backed the manager during this tumultuous period.
Just hours before the Liverpool match on September 1, new CEO Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth met with the media at Old Trafford to reaffirm Ten Hag’s role as the right choice for the club’s future.
Support in football, however, can be fickle. Ten Hag was given a chance to prove that last season’s eighth-place finish—United’s lowest in the Premier League era—was an anomaly rather than a sign of his inability to restore the club’s former glory.
Having spent two years at Old Trafford, Ten Hag is well-acquainted with the external pressures that accompany managing one of England’s most storied clubs, a team that has claimed a record 20 league titles, the last of which came over a decade ago.
“It doesn’t impact me. I know in the process where we are, what we have to do, and where we are going,” Ten Hag stated on Thursday. “I have said before we are still in a period of change. We must integrate many young players into the team.”
“Before anyone thinks about excuses, no, we have to win every game,” he concluded.
