Explosive Truth Behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Erik ten Hag's Manchester United War Finally Exposed

Steve McClaren, who served as Erik ten Hag's assistant at Manchester United, has revealed how the Dutch manager's firm stance on Cristiano Ronaldo's pressing responsibilities eventually caused the Portuguese star's bitter departure from Old Trafford in 2022.

After being relegated to the bench by the uncompromising coach, Ronaldo publicly expressed his frustration with Ten Hag, who emerged victorious as United agreed to cancel the Portugal legend's contract before his move to Al Nassr.

"There were numerous confrontations on that training ground," McClaren revealed to The Good, The Bad and The Football. "There were many instances of, 'All I need you to do is this, this, this and this.' That was Erik's coaching style: 'Ronnie, this is your role.'

"I would tell Ronnie, 'All [Ten Hag] requires from you is ... you're the initial presser, make one sprint, make two sprints, and perhaps make a third one, if you're willing. Then, drop back into the center, in case we regain possession, and then we can find you. That's all he expects from you. If you cannot do that, you won't get game time. Or if you refuse to do that, you cannot play, or he won't select you. I'm warning you, he won't select you.'

"I believe other coaches would [have selected Ronaldo], and that's the distinction, other coaches would. But Erik maintained, 'No, I'm implementing that, and [Ronaldo] must comply, otherwise he doesn't feature.'

"It was somewhat of a confrontation—not a confrontation, but a deadlock, and who would prevail? Erik remained firm. I believe most coaches would make exceptions for that. Some coaches operate that way. But he remained steadfast."

Ronaldo Felt 'Misunderstood' by Ten Hag

Ronaldo Felt 'Misunderstood' by Ten Hag

McClaren isn't the sole member of Ten Hag's coaching team to discuss his conflict with Ronaldo. Attacking coach Benni McCarthy, now managing Kenya after leaving Old Trafford in 2024, previously stated that Ronaldo simply disagreed with Ten Hag's tactical philosophy.

"I believe Manchester United missed a tremendous chance to utilize Cristiano properly," the former Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United forward told Zero Zero. "However, I wasn't the head coach and couldn't make those choices.

"It wasn't simple because Cristiano is an enormous personality. He possesses his own character, his own wisdom, and he desires a coach who comprehends him as well. At some stage, it's accurate, things began deteriorating between them.

"Erik maintained his philosophy, his concepts and he couldn't envision Cristiano fitting into them. And that's when difficulties emerged. Cristiano was unhappy when he wasn't featuring because he committed everything he could during training. He trains like I've never witnessed anyone train previously. He's an elite performer in every aspect, even in his conduct.

"He would reach training very early, perhaps two hours before everyone else began arriving. He was the most remarkable athlete I have ever encountered in my career. Not all athletes possess what's required to be like that. Regrettably, the coach's philosophy differed from what he had anticipated.

"[Ten Hag] desired a striker who could press from the front. And Cristiano felt that this responsibility should be handled by the squad collectively. With him, in certain situations, the optimal approach was to provide him the ball and allow him to work his magic."

Four years on and Ronaldo has encountered conflict with another organization. The forward declined to feature for Al Nassr in protest of the club's disappointing transfer activity which even coach Jorge Jesus acknowledged could not match their competitors in the Saudi Pro League.