Cristiano Ronaldo’s Ugly Fallout With Erik ten Hag Made Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ‘Sad’- “After I Left, It Turned Sour”

It’s not easy being a Manchester United fan. The club is going through a rough phase at the moment, with the team struggling to find their footing across all competitions. Things seemed perfectly on track just a season ago, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the side from the front. However, things crumbled within months as Cristiano’s relationship with manager Erik ten Hag hit the rock-bottom. Former United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer touched on the rift between the Portuguese superstar and Ten Hag during an interview, commenting on Cristiano’s exit from the club.

Ronaldo returned to Manchester United in 2019, reuniting with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. However, a string of poor results saw the club part ways with the manager, and the club appointed Ralf Rangnick as the interim manager. Following Rangnick’s brief tenure, the club introduced ex-Ajax manager Erik ten Hag to the Old Trafford faithful as the new head coach in April 2022. Ole spoke about the various effects the club had after his exit. 

Ole Gunner Solskjaer opens on Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit

The former United head coach was present in India this week. The Norwegian, during his stay, talked with the media outlet Times Of India about some of the most memorable moments in his career. During the interview, Solskjaer commented on working alongside Cristiano Ronaldo before the player’s fallout with current manager Erik ten Hag.

Solskjaer stated, “I think he scored 28 goals. I love Cristiano’s professional attitude. But it didn’t work out for him. He came back after having been the best player in the world for so many years. So, unfortunately, after I left, it turned sour with Cristiano. It was sad to see from the outside.”

Cristiano Ronaldo had a rough season under Erik ten Hag during the 2022/23 campaign. The Portuguese superstar made just sixteen appearances for the club across all competitions, with the player included in the starting eleven on just ten occasions. The lack of game time saw the Portuguese talisman open fire against the manager in an interview with Piers Morgan, severing any chance of repairing his broken relationship with the Dutchman.

READ MORE: “Cristiano Ronaldo Is More Than An Example”- Theo Hernandez Evokes Al Nassr Star’s Sweet Gesture at Real Madrid

Ronaldo lambasts Erik ten Hag during a public interview

Cristiano Ronaldo spits fire against Erik ten Hag and Manchester United during an exclusive interview with TV presenter Piers Morgan before the 2022 World Cup. The ex-United star went all in on the Dutch tactician, stating, “I don’t have respect for him [Ten Hag] because he doesn’t show respect for me. If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never gonna have respect for you. I felt betrayed. I don’t care, people should listen to the truth. Yes, I felt betrayed. I feel that some people didn’t want me here, not only this year but last season too.”

The Portuguese talisman’s fiery interview had immediate ripple effects, with Manchester United temporarily suspending the player. United then decided to take action against the player, with the club terminating Cristiano’s contract with immediate effect. With the player and the club walking their separate ways, Cristiano penned a blockbuster deal with Saudi side Al Nassr, writing a new chapter in his story.

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