Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United Legacy Marred by Fallout with Manager Erik ten Hag

The tarnishing of Cristiano Ronaldo’s legacy at Manchester United unfolded when the superstar clashed with current Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag towards the end of last year. However, for some, the signs of discord were evident even before the conflict surfaced.

According to former Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani, the anticipated clash between Erik ten Hag and Cristiano Ronaldo seemed inevitable. Cavani previously expressed concerns about his own future at Old Trafford upon Ronaldo’s arrival, speculating that managers might feel compelled to field the five-time Ballon d’Or winner regardless of his form. In stark contrast, Ten Hag made the bold decision to bench the forward mid-way through his debut season in charge.

This pivotal period marked one of the defining moments of Ten Hag’s tenure at Manchester United. He took a firm stand against Ronaldo amid growing unrest in the dressing room and an explosive tell-all interview. Ultimately, Ten Hag emerged victorious, leading to the club terminating Ronaldo’s contract midway through the season.

Cavani’s comments make for interesting reading now, with the ex-United ace recalling his response to Ronaldo’s arrival back in May of last year: “Knowing a bit about the world of football these days, the first thing I did was call my brother [Walter Fernando Guglielmone, who also acts as his agent] and said: ‘Fernando, if this had happened a week ago, I would ask you to find me another club.’

“But not because I didn’t want to play with Cristiano Ronaldo. No. Because I had the opportunity to know him, and he is a great professional, with his targets, and that is perfect for a sportsman. But as I know, after years in football, how things work these days. That’s why I spoke to my brother.

“It was more about understanding the situation. Not because I couldn’t play in my role at Manchester, but because there are many things in football nowadays that are different from how they were with other people, how it was before, years ago. And since it happened suddenly, I felt nothing. I thought: We’ll play, do the best we can.”

Cavani’s Departure, Ronaldo’s Limited Playing Time, and Ten Hag’s Strained Relations

Despite Edinson Cavani’s departure before making a competitive appearance under Erik ten Hag, the former Manchester United striker did share the field with Cristiano Ronaldo and even had to change his shirt number to accommodate the football icon.

Contrary to Cavani’s speculation, the records show that Ten Hag did not consistently start Ronaldo during their half-season together. In fact, the renowned Real Madrid ace completed the full 90 minutes on only three occasions under the Dutch manager’s guidance.

This deviation from Cavani’s anticipated scenario suggests that Ten Hag did not align with the belief that Ronaldo would be an automatic starter based solely on reputation. The limited playing time for Ronaldo under Ten Hag indicates a dynamic that was perhaps destined for strain from the outset.

Moreover, the clash with Ronaldo wasn’t Ten Hag’s only falling out. The United boss experienced another strained relationship, this time with Jadon Sancho, at the beginning of the current campaign. This sequence of events adds layers to the challenges and complexities in the managerial dynamics at Manchester United.