Erik ten Hag’s latest comments on Cristiano Ronaldo have once again put their strained Manchester United relationship back in the spotlight. In an interview with ESPN NL, the former Manchester United manager
and now technical director at FC Twente was asked about the Portuguese star. He began with clear praise but then came the sharp criticism that has defined much of Ten Hag’s public reflection on their time together as he said that the Portuguese star was not capable of performing at the highest level since the last seven to eight years.
Erik ten Hag snoeihard over Cristiano Ronaldo👀
“Hij levert al 7 of 8 jaar niet meer. Vanaf Juventus was het klaar.”
🔗 https://t.co/fDUax22opZ https://t.co/Zfqc6UKlNZ
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) November 1, 2026
“In my opinion, Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly a fantastic player and one of the greatest players of all time. But the truth is that, over the last seven or eight years, he has NO longer been capable of performing at that level.” Erik ten Hag said.
He went further and linked the decline to Ronaldo’s departure from Real Madrid in 2018 from the moment he joined Juventus, “it’s simply over.” Ten Hag even praised Madrid’s judgment, saying the club has a special gift for knowing exactly when to part ways with players while the outside world still believes they are at their peak.
Erik ten Hag says Cristiano Ronaldo could not cope with demands of playing at the Highest Level
These comments come after the duo worked for short and turbulent five months together at Old Trafford in 2022. Ten Hag has previously said he flew to Portugal before taking the United job to explain his vision and the role he expected Ronaldo to play. He has also claimed the forward could no longer push through the daily pain and intensity required to stay at the required fitness level for the Premier League.
In the latest interview he repeated the same that ultimately a player has to deliver, and Ronaldo, in his view, could no longer endure the hard work of maximum training every day. Without peak physical condition, he argued that there is simply no chance of succeeding at the highest level.
The comments have divided opinion on social media. Supporters of Ronaldo point to his continued goal-scoring at Al-Nassr and for Portugal, and to the fact that many elite players adapt their game as they age. Critics of Ten Hag note that the Dutchman himself was eventually sacked by United and that the public airing of old grievances can look one-sided years later.
