Piers Morgan, renowned TV figure has harshly criticized Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag for pushing Cristiano Ronaldo out of the club. The iconic forward had a falling out with the Dutch coach, resulting in his controversial departure from the Red Devils in late 2022.
Morgan slammed him for incompetent and saying he has been so since joining Manchester United. Morgan also mentioned that ten Hag often speaks nonsensically, even referencing Harry Potter in recent remarks. According to Morgan, the ex Ajax boss is exactly what Ronaldo described in the interview that led to his departure from the club, likening the manager to an overbearing school teacher who fails to manage exceptional talent.
''Because Ten Hag is a complete idiot. I'm sorry, he is. He has been since he went there, right? He talks in complete gibberish. “He's now banging on about Harry Potter or something. Ten Hag is everything Ronaldo told me he was in that interview, which led to him leaving United. The biggest problem with Ten Hag, he's like that bossy little school teacher you get who doesn't know how to handle supreme academic talent'', he told talkSPORT.
He also argued that the Dutchman has struggled to manage top players at Manchester United, specifically mentioning Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho, and Marcus Rashford. According to Morgan, while Ten Hag can handle less prominent players, particularly those he brought from Ajax, he struggles with elite talent. The 59-year old also expressed disbelief, suggesting that Manchester United have somehow regressed compared to last season under Ten Hag's management.
“So you look at the players he's been unable to handle at United. Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford. It's all the top players. He can handle the lesser rung. He can handle the guys he brings in from Ajax who've never been on the big world stage, but he cannot handle top players. I can't believe I'm saying this because it's a miracle, but they've actually gotten worse than they were last season'', he told.
''So Cristiano Ronaldo, had he stayed at Manchester United, would have been immeasurably better than any of the strikers they've currently got as he's proving for Portugal. The guys, the greatest that has ever played the game, the greatest that will ever play the game'', Morgan further added.
The Portuguese icon featured in 346 matches over two spells with the Red Devils, during which he netted 145 goals and provided 64 assists.