Cristiano Ronaldo Takes Aim at Erik ten Hag, Warns Manchester United to Listen to Ruud van Nistelrooy
Cristiano Ronaldo has launched a scathing attack on Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, claiming the Dutch tactician must listen to the wisdom of club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy if he wants to succeed at Old Trafford. The 39-year-old, who left United by mutual consent in November 2022, made his feelings clear in a candid interview on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast.
Ronaldo, who scored 150 goals in 292 games for United, believes the club needs to "rebuild everything" under new ownership. He criticized Ten Hag for saying the Red Devils cannot compete for major honors, stating that as a United manager, one must "try" to win the Premier League and Champions League.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also warned Ten Hag to heed the advice of van Nistelrooy, who knows the club and its fans intimately. "If Ten Hag listens to Ruud, maybe he can [help himself]," Ronaldo said. "I think it can help a lot because he knows the club and the club should listen [to] the guys who were there."
Ronaldo’s comments come amid a major overhaul at Old Trafford, with new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe investing heavily in the club’s infrastructure and training facilities. The Portuguese superstar reflected on his second stint at United, which yielded 27 goals in 54 appearances.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Red Cards: A Timeline
Here’s a look at the 12 red cards accumulated by Ronaldo throughout his career:
- Aston Villa vs MAN UTD (2004) – Yellow cards for diving and chipping goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen after the whistle had gone.
- Man City vs MAN UTD (2006) – Straight red card for a high tackle on former United legend Andy Cole, of all people.
- Portsmouth vs MAN UTD (2007) – Straight red card for headbutting midfielder Richard Hughes.
- Man City vs MAN UTD (2008) – Yellow card for a cynical foul on Shaun Wright-Phillips, second yellow for a deliberate handball.
- REAL MADRID vs Almeria (2009) – Ronaldo’s first home red card. One yellow for taking his shirt off to celebrate a goal. A second yellow for aiming a kick at midfielder Juanma Ortiz.
- REAL MADRID vs Malaga (2010) – Straight red card for a stray elbow which fractured defender Patrick Mtiliga’s nose. Ronaldo said afterwards: "If he wasn’t 5 foot 6, I might have caught him in the chest."
- REAL MADRID vs Atletico Madrid (2013) – Ronaldo received a straight red card for a high kick in Atleti captain Gabi’s face as Real lost the Copa del Rey final 2-1 on home soil.
- Athletic Bilbao vs REAL MADRID (2014) – Straight red card for striking an opponent in the face during a skirmish before a corner.
- Cordoba vs REAL MADRID (2015) – Straight red card for kicking left-back Edimar and pushing centre-back Jose Angel Crespo
- Barcelona vs REAL MADRID (2017) – Ronaldo made it a red card in the Manchester derby, Madrid derby, and El Clasico in the 2017 Spanish Super Cup. The Portugal star received yellow cards for removing his shirt to celebrate a goal at the Nou Camp and diving. He made matters worse by aiming a slight push at the referee after getting sent off.
- Valencia vs JUVENTUS (2018) – Controversial red card after defender Jeison Murillo threw himself to the ground as the pair jostled for position.
- Al-Hilal vs AL-NASSR (2024) – Little doubt about this one as Ronaldo appeared to swing his elbow twice at defender Ali Al-Bulayhi.
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