Manchester, England – Erik ten Hag has dismissed recent criticisms from Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting that the external noise around Manchester United does not affect his focus or managerial approach.
The comments come as Ten Hag’s United faces a challenging period, including consecutive losses and a growing scrutiny over his future.
In a recent podcast interview with former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo criticized Ten Hag for his pessimistic remarks about the club’s Premier League title prospects.
Ronaldo, who now plays in Saudi Arabia, took issue with Ten Hag’s statement made in the Netherlands during pre-season. The manager had suggested that United were “a long way away” from winning the league, a sentiment that Ronaldo believed was detrimental to the club’s image.
Ten Hag, however, downplayed Ronaldo’s comments, emphasizing that the veteran forward is no longer close to the daily realities at Old Trafford.
“No, he said this, if you read the article very well,” Ten Hag remarked when asked about Ronaldo’s criticisms. “He is entitled to his opinion. It’s OK. He is far away in Saudi, far away from Manchester.”
The manager’s focus remains on the immediate challenges facing his team as they prepare for a crucial match against Southampton on Saturday.
United has suffered back-to-back defeats against Brighton and Liverpool, a run of poor form that has intensified pressure on Ten Hag.
A loss to Southampton would mark United’s worst start to a season since 1986-87, a period that saw the dismissal of Ron Atkinson and the appointment of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Injuries have compounded Ten Hag’s difficulties. Full-back Luke Shaw remains unavailable, having not featured for United this season despite making three appearances for England during Euro 2024.
Striker Rasmus Hojlund is also sidelined as he recovers from a hamstring injury sustained during the summer tour of the United States. However, new signing Manuel Ugarte is fit for selection, despite only returning from international duty on Thursday.
The manager’s future has become a topic of considerable speculation during the two-week break since the Liverpool defeat.
With co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe increasingly involved in club operations, there is speculation that Ten Hag may not see out the season. Despite this, Ten Hag remains resolute and focused on the task at hand.
“It doesn’t impact me,” Ten Hag stated regarding the external speculation. “I know where we are in the process and what we have to do and where we are going.”
He emphasized the club’s ongoing transition, including integrating young players and managing injuries. “I have said before we are still in a transition period. We have to integrate a lot of young players in the team and still have to deal with injuries and bring players back into the team,” he added.
Acknowledging the club’s current struggles, Ten Hag stressed that there are no excuses for underperformance. “Before anyone thinks about excuses, no, we have to win every game. I know that. The team knows that. It doesn’t matter who is available.”
As Manchester United continues its quest for form and stability, Ten Hag’s ability to navigate the pressures and expectations placed upon him will be closely scrutinized.
The upcoming match against Southampton will be a critical test of his management and the team’s resilience amid the growing turbulence surrounding Old Trafford.
