“After that we won 2 trophies” - Ten Hag responds when asked if Cristiano Ronaldo is still the ‘problem’ after he scores hat-trick in pre-season

Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo was never the problem at Old Trafford. The Dutch manager and the five-time Ballon d'Or winner did not enjoy the best relationship during their time together at the club.

Before Ten Hag took over at Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo had a solid 2021-22 season with the Red Devils under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He scored 24 goals and provided three assists in 38 games for the Red Devils.

However, the Portuguese superstar did not have a starring role under Ten Hag and mostly came on from the bench. He featured only 16 times under the former Ajax manager and scored thrice while providing two assists.

Cristiano Ronaldo's contract with the Red Devils was terminated on mutual consent in November 2022 following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan. However, the veteran superstar has been scoring for fun since joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in January 2023.

Ronaldo scored a hat-trick against Rio Ave in Al-Nassr's 4-0 victory in a pre-season friendly. Following the game, Erik ten Hag was questioned regarding Ronaldo, but he insisted that the Portuguese superstar was not the problem. The now-Bayer Leverkusen manager said, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano on Instagram:

"For me, it is no problem, he was never the problem. I think that's the past, it is what happened, and after that we won two trophies at Manchester United, and I wish him all the best for the future."

Erik ten Hag failed to turn things around for the Red Devils despite Cristiano Ronaldo's exit and was sacked in less than a year. He took over at Bayer Leverkusen this summer, where he will be tasked with filling in the void of Xabi Alonso, who joined Real Madrid.

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Al-Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo wants to reunite with former Manchester United star: Reports

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly wants Al-Nassr to sign former Manchester United attacker Mason Greenwood this summer. As reported by Spanish outlet MARCA, the Portuguese superstar is keen to reunite with his former Red Devils teammate at the Al-Awwal Park.

Al-Nassr have signed Joao Felix this summer, who has become their first foreign signing of the season. They have also tracked Greenwood as per reports following his excellent season with Olympique de Marseille. The Englishman made 36 appearances for Roberto De Zerbi's side last season, scoring 22 goals and providing six assists.

The 23-year-old established himself as one of the biggest prospects in Europe, having come through the youth ranks of Manchester United. However, he suffered a huge setback when he was arrested for rape and assault in January 2022.

He did not make a single appearance for the Red Devils after his arrest and was loaned to Getafe in the 2023-24 season. He was eventually sold to Marseille in 2024, where he did well to revive his career and won the Ligue 1 Golden Boot last season.

He played 17 times alongside Cristiano Ronaldo for Manchester United and had one joint goal participation.