Erik ten Hag, the current manager of Manchester United, has firmly responded to recent criticism from former star Cristiano Ronaldo regarding the club’s ambition.
In a recent press conference, Erik ten Hag addressed Cristiano Ronaldo’s assertion that Manchester United must aim to win the Premier League and Champions League. Ten Hag commented, “No, he said this, if you read the article very well”.
Ronaldo, in an interview with Rio Ferdinand, emphasized that “Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the (Premier) League or Champions League”. He urged Ten Hag to instill a fighting spirit within the team, which he believes is essential for a club of Manchester United’s stature. Ronaldo suggested that the team needs to “rebuild everything” to return to competitiveness.
Despite the criticism, Ten Hag conveyed that he remains “quite confident” about securing more titles this season after previously winning the League Cup and FA Cup. His focus is firm on the current process of integrating young players and addressing injuries within the squad, factors he deems essential for future successes.
Ten Hag acknowledged that Manchester United is still in a transition period, stating that they “have to integrate a lot of young players also in the team”. He emphasized the importance of focusing on winning each game rather than getting distracted by external opinions, asserting that “it doesn’t impact me”.
Ten Hag’s squad faces significant challenges, having lost two of their opening three league matches this season. The manager understands the pressure that comes with this but remains committed to building a competitive team capable of achieving great things in the future.
