Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that he and Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag do not get along, claiming that “empathy with the coach is not good.”
During the second half of his explosive interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV, the 37-year-old also discussed the events that led to his refusal to come on as a late substitute against Tottenham Hotspur and the subsequent suspension against Chelsea in the team’s next match.
Ten Hag was initially hesitant to use Ronaldo earlier this season, despite the fact that the forward had gone through a proper pre-season, but the Portugal international has stated that not all players were treated equally..
I really understand what he meant when he said I didn’t need the pre-season and should just wait for my chance. But I’m not going to give you points because you don’t treat every player the same way. I’m not going to name names, but they don’t do it in the same way “Ronaldo informed Morgan..
“Second, I understand that [starting] a new job in Manchester was so bad in the last five years that they should make them clean the house, to put it mildly. But the way they approach it, the way the press makes it so big, is probably due to poor communication..
But I really understand that because I didn’t do the pre-season, I didn’t start playing right away. But, going further, other things happen that people are unaware of, and I’m not hiding the fact that my empathy for the coach is lacking. I’m truthful.
“He doesn’t respect me the way I deserve [it].” However, it is what it is. This is probably why I left the game against Tottenham.
Excuses (not used in the 6-3 loss to Manchester City) are what I see. I witnessed many things that I do not wish to criticize him for. He may hold opposing views to mine..
They select the players they believe will benefit the team the most. I respect that, but excuses all the time, you know; excuses have short legs, and you can’t always excuse things that don’t make sense.
Okay, you don’t start me against Manchester City out of respect for my career, but you want to start me for three minutes against Tottenham. It just doesn’t make sense.
I believe he did it on purpose because, for example, in a national team and [at] other clubs, if the coach wants to put me on for five minutes, if someone is injured, or if they really need me, I will assist. But I felt provoked in that way not only because of that game but before.
Ronaldo also expressed his dissatisfaction with Manchester United’s communication during his suspension for refusing to enter the field against Tottenham Hotspur.
“I believe it was a club strategy for me to react that way.” Manchester United’s communication left me very, very, very disappointed. To be honest, I’ve never had a problem with any club or coach,” he continued.
“And they suspended me for three days, which I thought was a long time – and the level of sport, clubs, I thought was a long time.” It was a pity..
It was not respect for me, which is why I made this regrettable decision. I apologized to my teammates and posted on Instagram about how I regretted leaving the stadium. My teammates understand how I felt, and I apologized, but I don’t regret my decision not to play.
“The coach didn’t have respect for me, so that’s why the relationship is the way it is. He keeps saying in the press that he comes to me, he likes me, blah, blah, blah, but that’s only for the press, 100%. If you don’t have respect for me, I’ll never have respect for you.”
Ronaldo is under contract with Manchester United until the end of the season, but the Red Devils are reportedly considering terminating it due to the explosive interview..
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