'He handled it well' - Ex-Man United insider defends Erik Ten Hag's decision to part ways with Cristiano Ronaldo

Manchester United’s decision to part ways with Cristiano Ronaldo in November 2022 left fans and football pundits divided. Ronaldo’s exit, which followed a high-profile fallout with manager Erik Ten Hag, marked a bitter end to his second stint at Old Trafford. 

However, Steve McClaren, Ten Hag's former assistant at the club, has publicly supported the Dutchman’s handling of the situation, praising his rigid adherence to discipline and team standards. Notably, Ronaldo’s departure came after his explosive interview with Piers Morgan, where he openly criticized Ten Hag and the Manchester United hierarchy.

The fallout led to the termination of Ronaldo’s contract, a move that was met with mixed reactions. Many believed the club had mishandled one of the greatest players in football history, but Ten Hag remained firm in his decision, staying true to his philosophy and vision for the team.

Steve McClaren, who worked as Ten Hag's assistant during his early seasons at United, commended the manager for sticking to his principles, even when it meant challenging a football icon like Ronaldo. "I couldn’t fault his approach," McClaren said in an interview with The Telegraph. "He handled it very well. Erik came in with set standards. Set rules. Set way of playing. And if you didn’t run, you didn’t play."

'He took on Ronaldo, and quite rightly,' says McClaren

McClaren noted that Erik Ten Hag’s firmness in his approach was a hallmark of his leadership. He highlighted that the manager did not feel the need to bend the rules for any player, regardless of their stature. "He took on Ronaldo, and quite rightly," McClaren emphasized. He also mentioned how previous managers, such as Ralf Rangnick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, had struggled to implement such standards consistently.

Another incident McClaren pointed to was when Marcus Rashford was benched for being late to a team meeting on matchday. Even though Rashford’s infraction was minor, Ten Hag benched him, sending a clear message to the squad about the importance of discipline. "He put Rashford on the bench. Granted, he came on and scored the winner, but the point was made."