Steve McClaren reveals why he told Erik ten Hag to choose between him and Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United

Former England manager Steve McClaren has made a bold claim about Cristiano Ronaldo’s final months at Manchester United. He said he advised Erik ten Hag early on that the club would need to make a tough choice between the star forward and the manager’s system. The situation developed during the 2022–23 season, when Ronaldo struggled to fit into Ten Hag’s high-pressing style. The tension later became public and eventually led to a dramatic exit.

The Portuguese gave The Athletic an explosive interview where he openly criticized Ten Hag and admitted he did not respect him. Soon after, Manchester United terminated his contract, and Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in early 2023. McClaren has now explained that the issues were visible long before the public fallout. He also highlighted how Ronaldo found it difficult to adapt to the physical demands required by the manager’s approach.

Steve McClaren explains why Cristiano Ronaldo could not fit Erik Ten Hag’s system

Steve McClaren, who worked closely with Erik Ten Hag during that period, explained that the conflict was mainly about playing style and expectations. He said the manager wanted a very intense pressing system, especially from the forwards. According to McClaren, he told Ten Hag quite early that the situation would come down to a clear decision between sticking with Cristiano Ronaldo or fully committing to the new system.

He added that Ronaldo was professional and generally behaved well, but he was not comfortable with the role he was being asked to perform. McClaren explained that the manager wanted him to press aggressively. He wanted him to lead the defensive effort and constantly make repeated runs. However, Ronaldo questioned whether such demands were realistic, especially considering his age and playing style at that stage of his career.

McClaren also shared that he had direct conversations with Ronaldo about these expectations. He told the forward that if he wanted to stay in the team, he would need to follow the tactical instructions and work harder without the ball. But Ronaldo was not convinced and often argued that constant pressing was not necessary.

The situation eventually became unsustainable. Ronaldo made only limited appearances under Ten Hag and struggled to make an impact. His departure marked the end of an era at Manchester United.

Meanwhile, former teammate Antony recently spoke about Ronaldo’s influence off the field. He said Ronaldo often encouraged discussions beyond football, including life lessons and personal growth, which helped younger players develop both professionally and personally.