Erik ten Hag Dismisses Ronaldo’s Criticism, Focuses on Manchester United's Challenges
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has brushed aside recent criticism from Cristiano Ronaldo, focusing instead on overcoming the team’s current difficulties. Ronaldo, in a podcast with former United teammate Rio Ferdinand, questioned Ten Hag’s assessment that the club is “a long way away” from winning the Premier League, suggesting that such remarks could send a negative message.
Ten Hag responded to Ronaldo’s comments ahead of Manchester United’s match against Southampton, saying, “He is entitled to his opinion. It’s OK. He is far away in Saudi, far away from Manchester.” The manager emphasized that he remains focused on his responsibilities and the team’s progress.
United’s current form has been a cause for concern, with the club suffering consecutive defeats to Brighton and Liverpool. They are set to face Southampton on Saturday, knowing that another loss could mark their worst start to a season since 1986-87, a period that saw Ron Atkinson’s departure and Sir Alex Ferguson’s appointment.
The manager also provided updates on player availability. Full-back Luke Shaw remains sidelined despite featuring for England in Euro 2024, while striker Rasmus Hojlund continues to recover from a summer hamstring injury. New signing Manuel Ugarte is fit after returning from international duty, but his match fitness is still in question.
Despite ongoing speculation about his future, with suggestions that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe may influence managerial decisions, Ten Hag stated that external opinions do not affect him. “It doesn’t impact me,” Ten Hag said. “I know where we are in the process and what we have to do and where we are going.”
He reaffirmed his commitment to the club’s goals, noting the ongoing transition period and the need to integrate young players while managing injuries. “We have to win every game,” Ten Hag stressed. “I know that. The team knows that. It doesn’t matter who is available.”
As Manchester United continues to navigate through a challenging start to the season, Ten Hag’s focus remains firmly on improving the team’s performance and achieving results.