Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has spoken candidly about his troubled tenure at the club, criticizing both players and the club’s ownership for unfulfilled commitments and internal conflicts that contributed to his departure in 2024.

Ten Hag, who was dismissed in October 2024 with the team sitting 14th in the Premier League, reflected on broken promises from the club’s leadership. After winning the FA Cup earlier that year and signing a contract extension, he had expected greater support and alignment with the owners, but said those assurances were not delivered. A key point of contention was the sale of midfielder Scott McTominay to Napoli for £25 million, a decision made without Ten Hag’s consent despite prior assurances to the contrary. He described feeling “embarrassed and disappointed” by this move, as McTominay went on to excel at Napoli, helping them secure the Serie A title.

Ten Hag also criticized the attitude and professionalism of Cristiano Ronaldo, whose second spell at Manchester United coincided with the Dutchman’s arrival ahead of the 2022-23 season. The relationship between the manager and the Portugal international deteriorated rapidly, with tensions coming to a head after Ronaldo refused to come on as a substitute during a Premier League win against Tottenham in October 2022 and later publicly criticized the club. Ronaldo’s contract was terminated by mutual consent in November 2022.

According to Ten Hag, Ronaldo did not meet the physical or tactical demands expected of him. He alleged that the forward pulled out of training sessions and failed to complete conditioning exercises, leaving him unprepared for matches. “He let the team down, and he let me down,” Ten Hag said, adding that while he held great respect for Ronaldo’s career achievements, as a manager he had to prioritize rational decisions and the needs of the team. He dismissed suggestions that he demanded Ronaldo to engage in high pressing or unfamiliar roles, stating that the issue was the player’s fitness and preparation.

Ten Hag also commented on former teammate Marcus Rashford, praising his talent but emphasizing the need for the right mindset, and hinting at the need for “corrections” when standards are not met.

The former United manager’s revelations shed light on the challenges he faced managing one of the world’s most scrutinized football clubs, highlighting tensions between managerial authority, player influence, and club ownership that contributed to a turbulent period for the club.