Ten Hag: 'I no longer want to spend energy on Ronaldo'
In an interview with Ten Hag, the Manchester Evening News reporter said: "You tried to work with a great player going downhill, with respect and discipline, but Ronaldo threw you cold water, right? ". Ten Hag replied: "Yes, but because he chose that path. I wish it had happened differently because I wanted to work with Ronaldo. But he doesn't want to. I don't want to spend it anymore. the energy for Ronaldo, he's in the past."
In an interview with the Manchester newspaper, Ten Hag twice said: "I don't want to spend energy talking about Ronaldo anymore". But when the reporter asked, the Man Utd coach added that he wanted Ronaldo to stay from the early days of leading the team to the present. "Ronaldo never told me he wanted to leave," said the 52-year-old coach. "But everyone knew he wanted to leave."
Ten Hag also recounted the story that he personally met Ronaldo in the summer of 2022 to talk about the future. At that time, the 37-year-old striker said: "In seven days I will tell you whether I want to stay or not." On the day of the appointment, Ronaldo replied: "I want to stay".
Since that meeting, Ronaldo hasn't said anything to Ten Hag about his future. The Dutch coach confirmed that if the Portuguese superstar integrates with the team, he can be extended. "Last season he scored 24 goals, and we always need goals," he emphasized.
When asked if Man Utd would have been easier to improve without Ronaldo, Ten Hag said: "When in good form, Ronaldo is a good player and can help us accomplish our goals, obviously. But he hasn't been in good form."
Ten Hag once again said that he makes decisions based on the interests of the team, not for anyone. "I've always wanted to work with world-class players. But when they're not in good form, I have to change to pick the best squad," he added.
According to the 52-year-old coach, Ronaldo's decision to interview Piers Morgan means that he has accepted the consequences, being liquidated. "As soon as the interview was published, the board and I agreed that Ronaldo had to leave," Ten Hag revealed.
Man Utd announced the termination of Ronaldo's contract ahead of time on November 22, a few days after he said he was "betrayed by Ten Hag". Ronaldo also agreed to leave without asking for compensation of about 20 million USD. The Portuguese captain is a free agent, and can join another team for free after the 2022 World Cup.
