Cristiano Ronaldo is at loggerheads with Manchester United’s new manager, Erik Ten Hag, over his “stubborn” tactical approach at the club. The rift between the two became worse after Manchester United’s heavy defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad.
If Cristiano Ronaldo has been hiding his frustration and face-off with Erik Ten Hag’s style at Manchester United, that is no longer the case.
Ronaldo has reportedly been fed up with Erik ten Hag’s unfruitful approach at Old Trafford after Manchester City pummelled the Red Devils at Etihad in a highly-anticipated 188th Manchester derby.
The Red Devils were smashed 6-3 by a high-flying Manchester City, with four goals coming in the first half of the encounter.
Manchester United played second fiddle to their city rivals and made unsolicited mistakes with every move with the ball.
Norwegian deadly forward Erling Haaland and England international Phil Foden were at their best, with both scoring a hat-trick in the game.
After Manchester City made a series of substitutions, having humble the visitors, Manchester United scored three consolation goals in the second half.
Anthony Martial bagged a brace, while Marcus Rashford scored his fourth goal for Manchester United this season.
For the first time, Cristiano Ronaldo was an unused substitute in the game as he watched the Red Devils bow before a rampaging Manchester City side.
Erik ten Hag’s decision to keep Ronaldo on the bench in the Manchester City game has been criticized by former Manchester United players – Rio Ferdinand and Roy Keane.
When asked why he did not play Ronaldo in the game against Manchester City, Erik Ten Hag said he took the decision respecting Cristiano Ronaldo’s career.
Rio Ferdinand and Roy Keane have faulted Erik Ten Hag, saying he disrespected the Portuguese star instead by not playing him in the derby match.
Meanwhile, according to the Daily Times, Cristiano Ronaldo has fumed over Erik Ten Hag’s decision not to play him in the Manchester Derby.
The five times Ballon d’Or is reportedly fed up with Erik Ten Hag’s deep press tactics at Old Trafford, which is not yielding results.
Sources close to Carrington have reported training ground collisions between Ronaldo and Ten Hag, with the former describing the Dutch tactician as “stubborn” with his tactics.
Daily Times reported “complains about the nature and quality of training sessions” by Ronaldo, with the rift between the two getting deeper.
Cristiano Ronaldo has started just one Premier League match for Manchester United this season under Erik Ten Hag.
He has been reduced to cameo appearances off the bench, with the Manchester City game being the first time he was not brought off the bench.
However, he has played all Manchester United Europa League matches and has recorded only one goal for the club against Sheriff Tiraspol in Moldova.
Erik Ten Hag’s deep press system, which he successfully deployed at Ajax, have not sit well with Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Portuguese losing first-team starting position to Marcus Rashford.
However, the Ajax style has earned Erik Ten Hag four wins and three defeats in the Premier League, with Arsenal and Liverpool falling to the Dutch tactician.
