- Ten Hag clashed with Ronaldo during the first months of his reign at United
- The Dutch coach now fears for his job after a season of struggles at Old Trafford
- Does Mo Salah regret not having left Liverpool last summer? Are you now at risk of tarnishing his Liverpool career? Listen to the It’s all starting! podcast
Erik ten Hag’s decision to get rid of Cristiano Ronaldo was the beginning of his downfall at Manchester United, according to Wesley Sneijder.
The United manager clashed with the Portuguese star after leaving him on the bench during the first weeks of his tenure at Old Trafford.
Things came to a head when Ronaldo told Piers Morgan that he felt “betrayed” by Ten Hag and wanted to leave the club, making several scathing comments about the setup.
Ronaldo’s contract was terminated by mutual agreement with immediate effect and he went on to sign for Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia.
While United looked stronger in Ronaldo’s absence last season, they have struggled this season and look likely to miss out on Champions League qualification.
Erik ten Hag and Cristiano Ronaldo clashed at the beginning of last season, which led to the Portuguese star’s departure from Manchester United
Now, Ten Hag sees his position under threat after a difficult second season at United.
Former Dutch midfielder turned pundit Wesley Sneijder attributed Ten Hag’s demise to his falling out with Ronaldo last season.
Former Dutch midfielder Sneijder, who was regularly linked with United but never signed for the club, gave a direct opinion on the causes of Ten Hag’s problems as he fights to keep his job.
“Should I tell you where Erik ten Hag went wrong?” He told Veronica Offside, according to Voetbal Primeur.
‘The day he decided to fight against Cristiano Ronaldo. There he began to lose all respect.
‘He thought he would do well, but it’s quite the opposite.
“Everyone in the locker room was wondering if he was right in the head to do that.”
Ronaldo was comfortable as United’s top scorer in 2021-22 with 24, but it didn’t suit the way Ten Hag wanted to play.
The Dutch manager is under huge pressure and could lose his job even if United beat Manchester City to win next month’s FA Cup final.
New co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos team are weighing up whether Ten Hag is the right man to take United forward.
Mail Sport reported on Monday that Ten Hag’s former club Ajax are interested in bringing him back.
However, sources insist that Ten Hag and his technical team would be reluctant to leave Old Trafford to facilitate his return to Amsterdam, meaning Ajax are dependent on his sacking.
Ten Hag’s future looks increasingly fragile after frustrating campaign for United
Sneijder described United winger Antony as ‘disgraceful’ after goading Coventry players
After winning on penalties, Antony was seen cupping his ears at the Coventry players.
It is acknowledged that if Ten Hag loses his job, he might prefer a chance in one of Europe’s strongest leagues rather than returning to the Netherlands.
Ajax currently occupies fifth position in the Eredivisie, 35 points behind leader PSV.
Last week, Sneijder criticized United winger Antony, calling him “disgraceful” after he goaded Coventry City players after his team beat the Championship side on penalties in the FA Cup semi-final.
“Antony should be absolutely ashamed for what he did,” Sneijder told Ziggo Sport.
“I should have walked straight off the pitch instead of doing that. I hope Manchester United lose 5-0 in the final.”
