ERIK TEN HAG has broken his silence after Cristiano Ronaldo launched a stinging attack on on the Manchester United boss.
Ronaldo, who already has history with Ten Hag from his second spell at Man Utd, slammed the Dutchman for his negative outlook on United's ambitions.
Erik ten Hag has offered up a spiky response to Cristiano Ronaldo's swipe at Man Utd Credit: Reuters
Ronaldo suggested that the Red Devils need to 'rebuild everything' Credit: Getty
Ronaldo claimed that the Red Devils need to "rebuild everything" and took a swipe at Erik ten Hag for suggesting that a club of Man Utd's stature can't compete for the biggest trophies.
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Ronaldo said: “As I told you, Manchester, they need to rebuild everything, in my opinion.
“The coach, they say they cannot compete to win the League and Champions League.
“[As] Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you're not going to fight to win the League or Champions League.
“You have to be, to mentally say, listen, maybe we don't have that potential, but I cannot say that. We're going to try. You have to try.”
Ten Hag has now offered up his views on Ronaldo's claims in his press conference ahead of United's trip to face Southampton this weekend.
Rather than offering a rebuttal to the 39-year-old's swipe, he has instead suggested that Ronaldo was the one who is claiming that Man Utd aren't good enough to compete for the biggest titles.
He said: "He [Ronaldo] said that Manchester United can’t win the Premier League. He said this if you read the article very well.
"He's far away in Saudi, far away from Manchester. Everyone can have an opinion. It's okay."
Adding: "[It] doesn't impact me, I know in the process where we are, where we're going."
When quizzed on what United's ambitions are later in the press conference, he said: "We will see where we are in May.
"It is very early in the season and it is about winning trophies, being as high as possible in the league, do everything to win every game."
Man Utd fell to an eighth place finish in the league last season, losing 14 games and finishing on a negative goal difference.
However, Ten Hag still managed to win the FA Cup with his squad - securing a second piece of silverware in as many seasons at Old Trafford.
That trophy appeared to bank him more time at the helm of the club after he penned a new deal in the summer following months of speculation about a possible exit.
Ultimately, Ten Hag has outlasted Ronaldo at the Theatre of Dreams.
In fact, Ronaldo lasted less than half a season under the former Ajax boss when he played under him during his return to Man Utd.
The Portuguese powerhouse saw his contract ripped up in November 2022 after he had blasted his then-boss in a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan.
The sour ending to Ronaldo's homecoming allowed the five-time Ballon d'or winner to secure his move to Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr.
Since making the switch to the Middle East, Ronaldo has scored 62 goals and registered 17 assists in his 68 appearances.
Manchester United have had an underwhelming start to the season under Ten Hag this term.
The Manchester giants have lost two of their opening three Prem clashes and currently sit 14th in the league table.
They were embarrassed 3-0 by rivals Liverpool last time out and will be hoping to bounce back with their trip to the south coast to face Southampton on Saturday.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. PORTUGAL WIN THE UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE ON PENALTIES Nuno Mendes 😎 Anti Right Winger Morata : Me again? Congratulations Portugal & Ronaldo Kepa in Arsenal be like I am sorry. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: BleacherReportFootball, Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball)...
The Argentine forward's Old Trafford career appears over after being told to find a new club by boss Ruben Amorim.Alejandro Garnacho and partner Eva Garcia have jetted to ItalyThe Argentine's future at Manchester United remains uncertainEva posted a series of snaps from the pair's summer holidayEva and Garnacho have been together for over four yearsGarnacho was left fuming after being benched for ...
Arsenal inching closer to £38m transfer for 'Mini Odegaard'Arsenal are reportedly inching closer to a £38 million move for Genk starlet Konstantinos Karetsas - who has been dubbed a "Mini Odegaard"According to reports in Greece, Arsenal are 'very close' to securing an agreement for attacking midfielder Karetsas, who can also play as a winger, to join them this summer for a fee worth up t...
The footie legend, 50, will become a 'Sir' in the King's Birthday Honours list next week.David Beckham is to finally be awarded a knighthood - with wife Victoria set to be known as Lady BeckhamThe ex-England and Man United star has longed for a knighthood for yearsDavid has struck up a firm friendship with King CharlesHis Spice Girl wife Victoria will be known as Lady Beckham.Ex-England and Man Un...
The Portuguese star turned down a £200million package from Al-Hilal to stay at Manchester United.Bruno Fernandes' wife Ana has helped convince him to stay at UnitedThe pair are childhood sweethearts and have been together since they were teenagersAna is a former futsal referee and had to pay for their early datesFernandes and Ana married in 2015 and have two childrenFernandes was a rare shini...
CRISTIANO RONALDO'S attitude towards fans can't be knocked - even when they accidentally knock him!The Manchester United legend won new admirers for the way he dealt with a supporter catching him on the shin with his wheelchair.Cristiano Ronaldo rubbed his leg after being bumped intoRonaldo appeared to have fun over the incidentViewers loved the amusing exchange as Ronaldo ended up with a smile al...
PSG get talks underway with Bournemouth for ZabarnyiFabrizio Romano reports that PSG are determined to sign Ilya Zabarnyi this summer. While talks are underway with Bournemouth, the two clubs have not yet reached an agreement. The player remains keen to join Les Parisiens.Everton join Newcastle in race to sign GrealishEverton are interesting in acquiring the services of Manchester City outcast Jac...
WHAT HAPPENED?Napoli striker Osimhen has reportedly made up his mind on his future, and it seems like it won't include a sensational move to the Middle East. This comes from a scoop from journalist Buchi Laba, who reports that Osimhen has rejected a fifth offer from Saudi side Al-Hilal and would rather continue his career in Europe.THE BIGGER PICTURELaba claims that Osimhen is not interested in a ...
France captain Kylian Mbappe says he is satisfied with his side bouncing back from their Nations League loss to Spain in the third-placed play-off.Les Bleus finished the campaign with a win over Germany, thanks to goals from the Real Madrid star and Michael Olise.And while there was a lot to like about the French performance in Stuttgart, Mbappe took a balanced approach to things in his post-match...
WHAT HAPPENED?The German club have asked to be kept up to date on Sancho's situation, with the Man Utd outcast being touted as a possible replacement for Chelsea target Jamie Gittens, as per Sky Sports. Sancho has already re-joined the club from Manchester United once - a six-month loan spell at the end of last season - and could yet return for a third spell with the German giants. Chelsea paid a ...
- 1 England player ratings vs Andorra: Cole Palmer disappoints as Kane bails out Tuchel
- 2 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 3 Marcus Rashford 'grows close' to stunning semi-pro padel player
- 4 Why Premier League transfer may be off the cards for Victor Osimhen as Man Utd make 'timid' attempts to convince striker
- 5 Chukwueze reveals cause of AC Milan’s ‘disastrous’ season
- 6 FIFA confirms 34 team base camp training sites in the United States for 2025 Club World Cup, including nine in Florida and five in Calitornia
- 7 Man Utd continue to be linked with Emi Martinez
- 8 Daily Laugh - Morata : Me again?
- 9 Daily Laugh - Mbeumo and his amazing talent
- 10 Transfer news: Jadon Sancho announces move as Liverpool confirm deal