Cristiano Ronaldo: I have no respect for Erik ten Hag

Manchester United forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, says he has no respect for the club’s manager, Erik ten Hag. In an interview with Piers Morgan for TalkTV released by The Sun on Sunday night, Ronaldo also said he feels betrayed by the club for trying to force him out. Despite antics at Man Utd, Ronaldo tops chart […]

Manchester United forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, says he has no respect for the club’s manager, Erik ten Hag.

In an interview with Piers Morgan for TalkTV released by The Sun on Sunday night, Ronaldo also said he feels betrayed by the club for trying to force him out.

• Despite antics at Man Utd, Ronaldo tops chart of most popular players in EPL
• Man Utd axe Ronaldo from squad to face Chelsea

“I feel betrayed. Some people don’t want me here not only this year, but last year too. On Ten Hag, I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me. If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never gonna have respect for you,” he said.

He claimed there has been no progress at the club since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in the summer of 2013.

Quizzed if United’s hierarchy were trying to force him out of the club, the 37-year-old replied: “Yes. Not only the coach, but the other two or three guys around the club. I felt betrayed.”

On if senior club executives were trying to oust him, he said: “Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t care. People should hear the truth. Yes, I feel betrayed. Some people don’t want me here not only this year, but last year too.

“I don’t know what’s going on. Since Sir Alex Ferguson left I have seen not evolution in the club. The progress was zero.

“For example, an interesting point is how a club like Manchester United sacked Ole (Gunnar Solskjaer), they brought in a sporting director Ralf Rangnick which is something nobody understands. This guy is not even a coach! A big club like Manchester United bringing in a sporting director surprised not only me but all the world.

“Nothing changes. Not only the jacuzzi, the pool, even the gym. Even some points of technology, the kitchen, the chefs – who I appreciate, lovely people! They stop in time which surprised me a lot.

“I thought I would see different things, technology, infrastructure. Unfortunately, we see many things I’m used to seeing when I’m 21, 22, 23. It surprised me a lot.”

The Portugal international, who re-joined United in August 2021 and finished as their top scorer in all competitions last season with 24 goals, asked to leave the club in the summer.

He continued: “I think the fans should know the truth. I want the best for the club. This is why I came to Manchester United.

“But you have some things inside that don’t help [us] reach the top level as City, Liverpool and even now Arsenal…a club with this dimension should be top of the tree in my opinion and they are not unfortunately.

“As Picasso said, you have to destroy it to rebuild it and if they start with me, for me, it’s not a problem. I love Manchester United, I love the fans, they’re always on my side. But if they want to do it different… they have to change many, many things.”

He was also critical of former United team-mate, Wayne Rooney, after the Englishman said he is in danger of becoming an “unwanted distraction” at Old Trafford.

“I don’t know why he criticizes me so badly, probably because he finished his career and I’m still playing at a high level. I’m not going to say that I’m looking better than him. Which is true,” the former Real Madrid player said.