Erik ten Hag has dismissed Cristiano Ronaldoโs recent criticism of his ambition at struggling Manchester United, remarking that the Portugal star is โfar from Manchester.โ
Ronaldoโs second stint at United ended in a dramatic split in November 2022, following his sharp comments about the Dutch manager.
This week, the 39-year-old Al-Nassr player criticized Ten Hag once again, claiming his attitude was too negative for a club of Unitedโs prominence.
Ronaldo told the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast: โManchester United coach, you cannot say that youโre not going to fight to win the (Premier) League or Champions League.
ย โYou have to be, to mentally say, โListen, maybe we donโt have that potential but I cannot say that. Weโre going to try.โ You have to try.โ
He also said the club need to โrebuild everythingโ and that it โwill be difficultโ for them to challenge for the biggest trophies.
Ferdinand was a teammate of Ronaldoโs during his trophy-laden first spell at United, from 2003 to 2009.
Ten Hag has said he is โquite confidentโ of claiming more silverware this campaign after lifting the League Cup and FA Cup over the past two seasons.
But he said in July his team are a โlong way awayโ from being ready to win the Premier League, with United not crowned champions of England since Alex Fergusonโs final season in charge in 2013.
When Ronaldoโs comments about his mentality were put to him at a Thursday press conference, Ten Hag said: โHe said that Manchester United canโt win the Premier League. No, he said this if you read the article very well.
ย โSo, heโs far away in Saudi, far from Manchester. Everyone is entitled to have an opinion. Itโs OK.โ
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Ronaldoโs interview came after an international break that immediately followed Unitedโs humiliating 3-0 loss at home to bitter rivals Liverpool.
But Ten Hag said he did not let it affect him.
ย โIt doesnโt impact me,โ he insisted. โI know in the process where we are, what we have to do, where we are going.
ย โI have said before we are still in a transition period. We have to integrate a lot of young players also in the team.
โWe are still dealing with injuries, we have to bring the injuries back in the team. Before anyone thinks about excuses, no, we have to win every game.
โI know that, the team knows this and it doesnโt matter who is available. We will focus on every game and have in every game the mindset that we have to win.โ
United upset Manchester City in the FA Cup final in May but they endured their worst Premier League campaign last term, finishing eighth.
The 20-time English champions, who travel to Southampton on Saturday, have lost two of their opening three league matches this season.
Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hojlund remain sidelined but new signing Manuel Ugarte could make his debut after playing for Uruguay in midweek.