“Ronaldo is the past; he is gone.” The shocking remarks made by Erik ten Hag about Manchester United
Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, referred to Cristiano Ronaldo as “the past” and said that the team was “looking at the future.”
Manchester United has terminated Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract, putting an unfortunate end to his second stay with the Premier League side. United made the choice in response to the infamous interview the Portugal captain gave to broadcaster Piers Morgan in which he criticised the club’s executives and manager Erik ten Hag.
Ronaldo has been concentrating on Portugal’s ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022 campaign in Qatar ever since, when he scored a goal in the group stage. But after he put up underwhelming performances throughout the current Premier League season, Fernando Santos benched him for their pivotal Round of 16 match against Switzerland. It appeared as though his lack of games had affected his form.
In Santos’ starting lineup, Goncalo Ramos, who replaced Ronaldo, was used as the only striker, and the Benfica sniper scored three goals on his World Cup debut. Portugal secured a 6-1 victory and advanced to the quarterfinals after scoring goals from Pepe and Raphael Guerreiro. Portugal will play Morocco there.
After spending 12 years in Madrid and Turin, Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford for a second tenure in the summer of 2021. After his comeback, he finished the season with 24 goals across all leagues, including 18 in the Premier League, placing him third in the Golden Boot race.
He also won the club’s Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award and was chosen to the Premier League Team of the Year. Although he put on incredible performances, United finished in sixth place and missed out on the UEFA Champions League.
Ten Hag was benched when he came because Marcus Rashford was preferred by the former Ajax coach. In 10 2022–23 Premier League games, Ronaldo only managed to score twice in the Europa League.
He recorded two assists in the Europa League in the meantime. Ronaldo represents the club’s “past,” according to Ten Hag, who told MUTV that they are focusing on the future. “It’s the past now that he’s gone. Right now, we are looking ahead and toward the future “he declared.
According to numerous reports, Ronaldo may sign a two-and-a-half-year contract worth 200 million euros per season with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. The Portugal international, however, hasn’t yet ratified the agreement, According to the sources.