CHRIS WHEELER: For a coach whose philosophy is based around order and control, the Cristiano Ronaldo saga is the LAST thing Erik ten Hag needs… but the superstar WILL fall into line if he does not get his move away from Manchester United
- Erik ten Hag toed the party line and said all the right things about his absent star
- But no sooner has Cristiano Ronaldo returned than his patience is wearing thin
- New Manchester United boss Ten Hag called Ronaldo’s actions ‘unacceptable’
- How he handles it from here on may define the Dutchman’s first season in charge
Erik ten Hag has kept a straight face and played an even straighter bat to questions about Cristiano Ronaldo this summer.
From Bangkok to Oslo, Melbourne to Manchester, Ten Hag has toed the party line and said all the right things about his absent star.
Ronaldo missed Manchester United‘s pre-season tour for family reasons, he explained. The player is not for sale and remains under contract.
New Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag (pictured) has kept a straight face and played an even straighter bat to questions about wantaway forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 37, this summer
No sooner has Ronaldo returned to training and made his first appearance of the summer, though, than Ten Hag’s patience is clearly wearing thin.
The 37-year-old’s early exit from Old Trafford before the end of Sunday’s friendly against Rayo Vallecano, after he was substituted at half-time, did not go down well with a manager who puts great stock by team spirit, discipline and time-keeping.
‘Unacceptable’ is how Ten Hag described it to Dutch television, probably an understatement.
He will not have been any happier at the way Ronaldo announced on social media that he would be in the team for the game (‘Sunday, the king plays’) having made it clear he does not want egos in his squad.
Or when Ronaldo appeared to take issue with his manager as he spoke to the team during a break in play.
No sooner has Portuguese star Ronaldo returned to training and made his first appearance of the summer, though, than Ten Hag’s patience is clearly wearing thin with the veteran (above)
Is the five-time Ballon d’Or winner trying to provoke Ten Hag into letting him leave? Certainly, United have grown weary of attempts by…