MX23RW : Sunday, April 28 17:08:20| >> :60:3505:3505:

Cristiano Ronaldo opens up on difficult relationship with Erik ten Hag

Ronaldo opens up on difficult relationship with Ten Hag
© Reuters
Cristiano Ronaldo admits that he does not have a good relationship with Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag.

Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that he does not have a good relationship with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, claiming that "the empathy with the coach is not good".

During the second part of his explosive interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV, the 37-year-old also opened up on the events that saw him refuse to enter as a late substitute against Tottenham Hotspur and the resulting suspension against Chelsea in the team's next match.

Ten Hag was initially reluctant to use Ronaldo earlier this season, as the forward had got gone through a proper pre-season, but the Portugal international has said that not all of the players were treated the same.

"The feeling he always mentioned to me, that I didn't need the pre-season, so I should wait for my opportunity, I really understand that. But I'm not going to give you points, you don't do the same procedure to every player. I'm not going to mention players, but they don't do it the same way," Ronaldo told Morgan.

"Second, I understand that [taking over] a new job, Manchester was so bad the last five years that it should make them clean the house - let's say in that way. But the way they approach, the way the press make this so big, it's because probably the communication wasn't the best.

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo in action against Aston Villa on November 3, 2022© Reuters

"But I really understand in the beginning because I didn't do the pre-season, I don't start to play. But going further than that, other things happen that people don't know [about], and I'm not hiding that the empathy with the coach is not good. I'm honest.

"He don't respect the way I should deserve [it]. But it is what it is. This is why probably, the game against Tottenham, I left.

"Excuses (not being used in the 6-3 loss to Manchester City), I see as excuses. I saw many things that I don't want to criticise him [for]. He can have different opinions to me.

"They choose the players that they think are better for the team. I respect that, but excuses all the time, you know; the excuses have short legs and you cannot excuse all the time, which is things that don't make sense.

"Okay, you don't put me [on] against Manchester City because of respect of my career and you want to put me [on for] three minutes against Tottenham. It doesn't make sense.

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their second goal on October 8, 2022© Reuters

"I think he did it on purpose because, for example, in a national team and [at] the other clubs, if the coach wants to put me [on for] five minutes, if someone was injured or if they really needed me, I will help. But in that way I felt provoked not only because of that game, but before."

Ronaldo also said that he was unhappy with Man United's communication when he was banned for refusing to enter the field against Spurs.

"I think it was a strategy from the club for me to react that way. I was very, very, very, very disappointed with the communication of Manchester United. To be honest, I never had a problem with any club, with any coach," he added.

"And they suspend me for three days, which I felt it was a lot - and the level of sport, clubs, I felt a lot. It was a shame.

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo pictured on July 31, 2022© Reuters

"For me it was not respect, this is why I take this decision I regret. I apologised to my teammates for the situation, I did a post on Instagram, saying I regretted leaving the stadium. My teammates know what I felt, and I apologised, but in the same way, I don't regret to take the decision to not come on.

"The coach didn't have respect for me. So this is why the relationship, it's in that way. He keep saying in the press that he come to me, he like me blah, blah, blah, but that is only for the press, 100 per cent. If you don't have respect for me, I'm never going to have respect for you."

Ronaldo has a contract with Man United until the end of the season, but the Red Devils are believed to be considering terminating his contract due to the explosive interview.

ID:499940:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5714:

Cristiano Ronaldo future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Piers Morgan

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo during training on November 14, 2022
Read Next:
Neville: 'Manchester United must terminate Ronaldo's contract'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal35255585285780
2Manchester CityMan City33237380324876
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs33186967521560
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
9Chelsea33139116359448
10Bournemouth35139135260-848
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton341111125257-544
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!