Erik ten Hag has ‘told Manchester United bosses that Cristiano Ronaldo should never play for them again’ after his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan.
Among a number of explosive claims thrown against his current employers, the Portuguese superstar said he felt ‘betrayed’ by the Red Devils and that he doesn’t respect Ten Hag.
ESPN have reported that Ten Hag has delayed his family holiday in the fallout from Ronaldo’s astonishing interview and has demanded that the 37-year-old never play for the club again.
The Dutchman feels Ronaldo has gone too far in his criticism of the club and against himself, and held a meeting with co-chairman Joel Glazer, chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough to express his views on Monday.
It’s also said that a number of players are ‘furious’ at the timing of the striker’s outburst which first came to light on Sunday, feeling it took away from their victory just hours earlier.
Manchester United secured a dramatic victory over Fulham, in which teenager Alejandro Garnacho stole the headlines with his stoppage-time winner.
Though Ten Hag still feels a motivated Ronaldo could contribute in a positive manner during the second-half of the season, he is ‘not willing’ to sacrifice unity within the squad by keeping the Portuguese international.
It means United could be a man short in the second-half of the season, as Ten Hag would be willing to let Ronaldo leave Old Trafford – even if they can’t find a replacement during the January transfer window.
Before starting work at his new club, Ten Hag said in May that he couldn’t wait to work with Ronaldo – one of the greatest players of all time.
However, the relationship has been a strenuous one with Ten Hag twice disciplining Ronaldo since July.
He was first reprimanded for leaving their pre-season friendly with Rayo Vallecano early, before he was left out of the squad for a match after his refusal to come on as a substitute against Tottenham.
Ronaldo, who was the club’s player of the year and top goalscorer last season, has had a far more reduced role since Ten Hag stepped into the role.
He has often been used as a substitute, with just four Premier League starts so far this campaign.
In his interview with Morgan on Talk TV, which has been drip-fed since Sunday, Ronaldo claimed that Ten Hag doesn’t respect him
Source: dailymail
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