Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has responded to recent criticism from Cristiano Ronaldo, who claimed that the club lacks the ambition to win the Premier League or the Champions League, Soccernet.football reports.
The former United star, now playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, suggested that Ten Hag’s negative attitude was holding the club back from competing for major titles.
During an interview on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Ronaldo remarked, “Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the (Premier) League or Champions League. You have to try.”
He also noted that the club needs to “rebuild everything” and that it would be difficult for them to challenge for the biggest trophies.
In response, Ten Hag appeared unfazed by Ronaldo’s comments, highlighting the distance between them both literally and figuratively.
“He said that Manchester United can’t win the Premier League. No, he said this if you read the article very well. So, he’s far away in Saudi, far from Manchester. Everyone is entitled to have an opinion. It’s OK,” Ten Hag said as per SkySports.
Ten Hag, who has won the League Cup and FA Cup with United, acknowledged that the club is still in transition while maintaining that Ronaldo’s criticisms do not affect him.
“It doesn’t impact me,” he insisted. “I know in the process where we are, what we have to do, where we are going.
“I have said before we are still in a transition period. We have to integrate a lot of young players also in the team.
“We are still dealing with injuries, we have to bring the injuries back in the team. Before anyone thinks about excuses, no, we have to win every game.
“I know that, the team knows this and it doesn’t matter who is available. We will focus on every game and have in every game the mindset that we have to win.”
Despite Ronaldo’s criticism, Ten Hag is determined to keep his focus on United’s progress and immediate goals as the club continues its season.
United, who face Southampton next, have struggled early on in the Premier League, losing two of their first three matches.