Alejandro Garnacho clearly has a differing opinion from Cristiano Ronaldo when it comes to Erik ten Hag.
The teenager has continued to blossom at Manchester United, scoring a stoppage-time winner for the Red Devils as they saw off Fulham earlier this month. Ten Hag has continued to give the young Argentine opportunities, arguably at the expense of Ronaldo, who has now left Old Trafford.
Garnacho referenced Ronaldo as his idol, but whilst the Portuguese star lamented Ten Hag the United youngster has only good things to say about him. The player told club media: "Erik Ten Hag is a very good manager and, above all, he’s a great person. He always pays very close attention to us all, and helps us a great deal, especially the young players."
Ten Hag's managerial style has been praised with pundits impressed by his early moves, even if United are sat outside the top four. His personality has also made its mark on Garnacho, even if that is at odds with Ronaldo's impression of the former Ajax boss.
The Red Devils boss has also been cited as a disciplinarian, which is underlined by Garnacho's observation. Ten Hag, as he did at Ajax, has continued to back the club's academy with the Argentine being the most high-profile example.
"I've had to keep working hard until that moment came where I was given my opportunity," said the teenager. "For the moment, I’m making the most of the opportunities he’s giving me. I don’t want to take a backward step from here, I’d like to appear regularly in the team and keep going in the same way."
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Ronaldo certainly didn't have as high an opinion of Ten Hag as Garnacho. The forward, who has now left Manchester by mutual consent, was used sporadically by the Dutch coach. Ronaldo missed out on pre-season and had largely appeared from the bench.
The 37-year-old took aim at his former boss in his interview with Piers Morgan: "I don't have respect for him because he doesn't show respect for me. If you don't have respect for me, I'm never gonna have respect for you."
Roy Keane said on the situation whilst on ITV: "I don't think it's been great management," said Keane. "I think it's been a very difficult situation but I don't think the manger comes out with it [looking well]. People might say he's put a marker down, part of management is looking after the top. You do have to treat top, world-class players differently. This idea that you treat everyone the same, you don't."
