Ten Hag made a harsh remarks on the Portuguese superstar’s professionalism during a lengthy interview with The Athletic.

The pair’s rocky relationship at United lasted only 16 games when Ronaldo left for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in December 2022.

Prior to Ten Hag’s arrival in the summer of 2022, he spoke with Ronaldo in Portugal about his plans to return the club to its previous glory.

However, Ronaldo’s professionalism was called into question after only two Premier League games.

Following a 4-0 loss to Brentford, Ten Hag attempted to highlight his team’s lack of effort by having them do laps.

However, Ten Hag, who did the laps alongside his teammates, said Ronaldo finished one lap ahead.

Ronaldo’s lack of effort quickly became a regular topic in training and, more worryingly, during games.

Erik ten Hag discussed Cristiano Ronaldo’s professionalism

“I confronted him with this,” Ten Hag, who is now the technical director at FC Twente, said.

“Many times I say, ‘Ronnie, everyone wants to work for you to bring you in the right position, but if you can’t bring yourself in the box, you can’t score.’

“He wasn’t capable of doing this. It’s a bad idea to tell me that I expected him to do the pressing and that he’s fatigued. But he could not. “He was neither in or out of possession. “The explanation was that he did not prepare himself.

Ten Hag also claimed Ronaldo would encourage his United colleagues to ‘save your legs at training’ for contests. Ten Hag acknowledged that being physically active can help save legs during workouts. But first, you must train yourself to reach the appropriate physical levels.

Ronaldo’s reported lack of professionalism under Ten Hag was illustrated by his three goals and two assists in the 2022/23 season, before moving Al Nassr.

Two of the goals came against Moldovan team Sheriff Tiraspol in Champions League play.