Erik ten Hag showed his first signs of frustration at the ongoing saga surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo ’s Manchester United future.
During his first pre-season in charge, the Dutchman has had to contend with continuous speculation regarding Ronaldo, after he made it clear he wishes to leave Old Trafford. Despite being just 12 months removed from signing a two-year deal back at United, the 37-year-old is hoping to engineer an exit to a Champions League.
For the Red Devils’ part they have been adamant that he is not for sale and he remains a part of their squad for the opening weekend of the Premier League season. Whether he will be fit enough to start is another question, having missed out on United’s summer tour of Asia and Australia due to personal issues.
Ronaldo did turn out for the first time under Ten Hag last week, playing 45 minutes in the game against Rayo Vallecano. However, the Portuguese still made headlines after he was captured walking out of the stadium with the match ongoing.
Ten Hag was at pains to condone the decision of players leaving prematurely, although he didn’t specifically name Ronaldo. “I certainly don’t condone this,” he explained to Dutch media in midweek. “This is unacceptable. For everyone. We are a team and you have to stay until the end.”
And Ten Hag briskly responded to further questioning on the incident, hitting back at a reporter during his pre-match press conference, suggesting the continued focus on Ronaldo individually, was unfair.
“There were many players who left,” he said. “But the spotlight is on Cristiano, that is not right. Do your research and make out that many players left, that is what I said. I don’t understand his part in it. Once again, there were many players [who left].”
As for his relationship with Ronaldo, Ten Hag added: “I am really happy, I’ve told you before. We have a top striker and I’m really happy that he’s here, he’s in the squad and we stick to the plan.
"I think we've said enough about it [players leaving early]. I said it's not correct. I'm satisfied with the whole team, we're working good, good culture and Cristiano is working really tough and hard. You mention it [that it is unacceptable], you correct them, then move on."
It was highly probable that the Portuguese would have started from the bench in Sunday’s season opener against Brighton, with Anthony Martial in line to start. That plan has now been foiled after the Frenchman picked up an injury which will keep him out of at least this weekend’s clash.
“It is always difficult to say with injuries [how long he will be out for],” the manager explained. “I hope it is not for too long.” And as for Ronaldo replacing him, Ten Hag teased: "We will see Sunday."
One player who definitely won’t be involved for United is Frenkie de Jong, with their efforts to sign him before the start of competitive action falling short. There had been cautious optimism the Barcelona midfielder would be within Ten Hag’s matchday squad, but reluctance from the player - twinned with financial issues with his current club, mean their pursuit continues.
De Jong’s name was brought up during his media commitments, raising a smile from Ten Hag: "We want Frenkie? It's about the right players and I cannot give comments on a player under contract at another club.
"When you work with the current squad and develop players in your current squad, in this moment we have players in that position and perform really well. It would be a good situation (to have concluded all of their business) but I have a squad and I'm happy with the current squad.”
