Transfer Centre

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo 'left furious at Erik ten Hag comments'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 03 August 2022

Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly 'furious' with Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman publicly criticised the forward's behaviour.

Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly been left 'furious' with Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman publicly criticised the forward's behaviour.

After missing the club's pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, the 37-year-old made his first friendly appearance for the Red Devils last Sunday against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo played the first 45 minutes of the 1-1 against the Spanish outfit but then opted to leave the ground before full time after being subbed off at the interval.

Ten Hag has since criticised Ronaldo and the other players who decided to leave early, stating that there were not given permission to leave before the match had ended.

"[Ronaldo] was absent (from the pre-season tour) due to personal circumstances. So it's now how he puts it," Ten Hag told Viaplay Sport Nederland.

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo pictured on July 31, 2022 © Reuters

"There were many more who went home. (So you condoned that?) Certainly not. It's unacceptable, for everybody. I tell them. That it is unacceptable and that we are a team, so a selection. That you have to stay until the end."

According to the Daily Star, via the Metro, Ronaldo is 'furious' with Ten Hag's public comments and is now determined more than ever to leave Man United this summer.

The Red Devils have no intention of selling the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who still has a year remaining on his contract, but the forward is believed to be 'desperate' to find a new club before the September 1 deadline.

A recent report claims that Ronaldo is hoping to secure a move away from United before the end of the week.

The forward has expressed his desire to play in the Champions League and his agent Jorge Mendes is understood to have held talks with potential suitors who have qualified for Europe's elite club competition.

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo in action against Rayo Vallecano on July 31, 2022 © Reuters

Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and former club Sporting Lisbon have all turned down the chance to sign Ronaldo this summer.

Atletico Madrid have also been linked with the former Real Madrid man, although club chief Enrique Cerezo claims that a move for the forward is "practically impossible".

Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford from Juventus last summer and scored 24 goals in 38 appearances across all competitions in the 2021-22 campaign, including 18 strikes in 30 Premier League matches.

The Portugal international is allegedly at risk of beginning United's opening Premier League game of the new season on the bench, with Ten Hag's side preparing to welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Old Trafford on August 7.