Cristiano Ronaldo refused direct order from Erik ten Hag that led to explosive Man United fallout

Steve McClaren revealed Cristiano Ronaldo’s relationship soured with Erik ten Hag when he refused to press high up the pitch.

The Portuguese striker left Old Trafford in November 2022 by mutual consent after an explosive interview with Piers Morgan.

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He criticised the Glazers’ ownership and Erik ten Hag in a wide ranging interview that ultimately led to his exit.

On Ten Hag, he said: “If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never going to have respect for you.”

Since leaving the club for a second time, the ex-Manchester United player remained critical of the Dutchman’s time at the club.

He has spoken on the manager’s lack of ambition for not aiming for silverware in the Premier League or in Europe during his time at the club.

The ex-United boss spent two-and-a-half years at Old Trafford before he was sacked in October 2024 after a poor start to the season.

Despite a sudden end to his time as manager, the Dutchman led the club to two domestic trophies – a Carabao Cup victory in 2023 and an unlikely FA Cup win against local rivals Manchester City in 2024.

Steve McClaren, the former assistant coach to Ten Hag during his time at the Red Devils, has shared his perspective on the pair’s relationship.

On Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt’s podcast ‘The Good, The Bad and The Football’ he said: “There was a lot of battles on that training field.

“There was a lot of ‘all I want you to do is this, this and this’. That was Erik’s coaching – Ronnie this is your job.

“I used to say to Ronnie ‘all he [Ten Hag] wants you to do is be the first press, make one…two…maybe even three runs, if you feel like it’.

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“Then recover back to the middle, in case we win the ball, and then we can play to you. That’s all want you to do.

“If you can’t do that, you won’t be playing, he won’t pick you. It was a little bit of a fight. Not a fight, but a standoff, who’s going to back down and who is going to win?

“Erik stuck to his guns. I think that’s the difference other people would have picked him, other managers would accommodate that behaviour as long as he scores.

“That control has gone for managers and credit to Erik, Ronnie was still incredibly professional. It happened how it did, they went different ways and I think it was best.”

United’s tenure under successor Ruben Amorin proved to still be messy, with the club finishing in 15th and not qualifying for European football last season.

Ronaldo was critical of the Portugese manager in an interview with Piers Morgan, he said: “Manchester United right now, they don’t have structure.

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“I hope that changes in the future because the potential of the club is amazing. It’s one of the most important clubs of the century.

“I was there so many years. I win the Champions League there, I win the golden ball, I win 12, 13, 14 titles there.

“So I repeat, Manchester United is still in my heart. I love that club.”

Since former player, Michael Carrick, has taken charge, the Red Devils have won 13 points out of a possible 15 and sit fourth in Champions League positions.