Cristiano Ronaldo seemingly foreshadowed Manchester United's rebuild that looks to have led to Erik ten Hag's sacking. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner left Old Trafford in November 2022 after falling out of favor with the Dutch coach.
Ronaldo, 39, put Ten Hag on blast for a perceived lack of respect after being handed a bit-part role. The legendary forward told Piers Morgan in an explosive interview two years ago:
"I don't have respect for him because he doesn't show respect for me. If you don't have respect for me, I'm never gonna have respect for you."
Cristiano Ronaldo was handed just 10 starts in 16 outings in his final season at Manchester United, managing three goals and two assists. It was a frustrating period for the five-time UEFA Champions League winner.
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The Portugal insisted he wanted the best for United. He quoted Spanish painter Pablo Picasso to explain what the Red Devils needed to do to restore their glory days:
"I think the fans should know the truth. I want the best for the club. This is why I come to Manchester United. As Picasso said, you have to destroy it to rebuild it [the artist's exact quote was: 'Every act of creation is first an act of destruction'] and if they start with me, for me, it's not a problem."
Ronaldo parted ways with Manchester United by mutual consent shortly after that interview. Ten Hag's side went on to finish third in the league and ended a six-year trophy drought by lifting the Carabao Cup.
The 13-time Premier League champions have crashed back down to earth this season and performed poorly. They've finished eighth in the league, their lowest finish since 1990 and thus failing to qualify for Europe.
Reports claim that Ten Hag was informed he'd be dismissed at the end of the season several weeks ago. He's set to leave after this Saturday's (May 25) FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Erik ten Hag claimed Cristiano Ronaldo hadn't told him he wanted to leave Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo's controversial departure in late 2022 stirred up debate within the football world regarding his professionalism. Ten Hag punished club football's all-time top scorer after he refused to come on in stoppage time in a 2-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur (October 19).
Speculation had long grown over Ronaldo's future at Old Trafford with many certain he wanted out. He'd lost his starting berth and wore a face of frustration regularly on the substitutes bench.
Ten Hag opened up on Ronaldo's interview with Morgan after the legendary forward exited. The Manchester United boss said in December 2022 (via Sky Sports):
"I wanted him to stay from the first moment until now. He wanted to leave, it was quite clear... The interview was the first time he said he wanted to leave... To make that step, [to do the interview] he knew the consequences. Before he [had] never told me."
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr in January 2023 and bounced back into the formidable striker he's been throughout his career. He's since posted 56 goals and 15 assists in 62 games across competitions.
