Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has explained why Cristiano Ronaldo struggled to fit into his plans at Old Trafford. Speaking to ESPN NL on Sunday, ten Hag said the Portuguese superstar’s physical condition and inability to meet the demands of his preferred style of play were key factors.
Ten Hag acknowledged Ronaldo’s status as one of football’s most celebrated players, but noted that the player’s fitness levels and tactical approach did not align with the team’s requirements during his brief spell at the club.
The former manager highlighted that the style of play he sought at United required a different set of attributes, which he felt Ronaldo could not consistently deliver under the conditions at Old Trafford.
While ten Hag did not detail specific metrics or training issues, he made clear that the mismatch between Ronaldo’s physical readiness and the tactical demands was a decisive element in the decision not to fully integrate the star into the squad.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>