Cristiano Ronaldo's first-team ban, issues with Jadon Sancho: Report details Ten Hag's fallout with ex-Manchester United duo

A recent report from ESPN's Rob Dawson has opened up on Cristiano Ronaldo's infamous fallout with former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag. The Dutch manager was removed from his duties on Monday (October 28) following the 2-1 defeat to West Ham United.

Ronaldo returned for a second stint with the Premier League giants in the summer of 2021. Manchester United brought in Ten Hag in the summer of 2022, and cracks soon began to appear. Things went over the boil during the infamous game against Tottenham Hotspur in October 2022. The Portuguese superstar had started the game from the bench and refused to come on as a substitute, instead opting to walk down the tunnel.

Three days later the Red Devils suspended him and Cristiano Ronaldo was asked to train alone by Ten Hag. While the rest of the Manchester United squad were initially on the manager's side, they soon began to feel that the Dutchman had taken the episode too far.

When the five-time Ballon d'Or winner tried to enter the dressing room on one occasion, he was informed by the staff that he wasn't allowed in. The standoff continued until the Portuguese took the help of an academy graduate to get a pair of trainers. This was viewed as an unnecessary humiliation by the senior members of the squad.

The report added that Dutchman also wanted a public apology from Jadon Sancho, and banished the player from first-team training. A number of members of the Manchester United squad advised the Englishman to apologize.

However, as the saga dragged on, there was a feeling that the Dutchman had taken the episode too far once again. As was the case with Cristiano Ronaldo, his demands were seen as unnecessary and humiliating.

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What was Cristiano Ronaldo's record under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United?

Erik ten Hag and Cristiano Ronaldo

Many feel that Erik ten Hag should have handled the Cristiano Ronaldo situation better at Manchester United. Not only was the Portuguese an Old Trafford legend, but he was also one of the biggest superstars in the world.

Ronaldo appeared 16 times under the Dutch manager, ten of which were starts, registering two goals and one assist. The player gave an explosive interview with Piers Morgan in November of that year, where he publicly slammed the former Ajax manager. The Portuguese eventually left the Red Devils in November 2022 to join Saudi club Al-Nassr.