Man United coach says Erik ten Hag was right to axe Cristiano Ronaldo as he ‘didn’t meet his standards’ Erik ten Hag has been told he did the right thing in getting rid of Cristiano Ronaldo as he was below the standards needed at Man United…

Steve McClaren, former assistant to Erik ten Hag, has offered his perspective on Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit from Manchester United, praising Ten Hag for his handling of the situation.

The dispute between Ten Hag and Ronaldo resurfaced recently after the striker criticized his ex-manager, claiming he had “no respect” for him and suggesting changes to revive the club’s fortunes.

Ronaldo, who enjoyed a highly successful first spell at United—winning multiple trophies including three Premier League titles, the Champions League, and the FA Cup—saw his second stint cut short. His contract was mutually terminated midway through his second season following disagreements with Ten Hag.

McClaren supports Ten Hag’s decision-making, commending the Dutch coach for setting clear expectations and standards. In an interview with The Telegraph, McClaren said, “I believe he handled it perfectly. He laid down strong principles regarding work ethic and playing style, ensuring that anyone who didn’t comply wouldn’t feature.”

He also contrasted Ten Hag’s approach with previous managers, such as Ralf Rangnick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who struggled with similar challenges.

McClaren is optimistic about Ten Hag’s potential to lead Manchester United to future success, noting the positive achievements of his first season despite facing injuries in the second. He believes that with proper support from Ineos, the club can thrive under Ten Hag’s leadership, provided they stay united and focused.