'He handled it well' - Man Utd former assistant reveals details of Erik ten Hag & Cristiano Ronaldo bust-up

Erik ten Hag's former assistant manager Steve McClaren has revealed the story behind Cristiano Ronaldo's decision to leave Manchester United, claiming that the Dutchman handled the situation in the right way.

The dispute between Ten Hag and Ronaldo hit the headlines once again recently after the striker decided to launch a public attack on his old manager. The Al Nassr star claimed that he had 'no respect' for the Red Devils boss before detailing the ways in which he would change the club to bring back success.

Ronaldo, who enjoyed two spells at United, won three Premier League titles, the Champions League, two League Cups and an FA Cup during an initial six-year stint. His most recent tenure, however, saw his contract mutually terminated midway through his second season after clashing with Ten Hag.

But, Ten Hag's former right-hand man McClaren believes he reacted in the best possible way, admitting that the Dutchman did what was 'needed'.

"I couldn't fault his [Ten Hag's] approach," he said in an interview with The Telegraph. "He really handled it very well. I said at the time he was the right man to go in.

"That was shown in the way he handled [the departure of] Cristiano Ronaldo. He came in with set standards. Set rules. Set way of playing. And if you didn't run, you didn't play. He was rigid on that. Which the Dutch are. He knew that was what was needed. There could be no flexibility, no way the players could manoeuvre [out of that responsibility].

"This is what you had to do – or you didn't play. And he took on Ronaldo, and quite rightly. Other managers have tried to adapt. Erik didn't feel it was necessary to do that. [Ralf] Rangnick had tried and it hadn't quite worked out and Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] the same. So he [Ten Hag] stuck to his guns and developed other players."

The Jamaica national team manager also shared his admiration for Ten Hag, backing him to lead the Red Devils to success.

"The first season [at United] – to qualify for the Champions League and win the Carabao Cup – I thought from where we started was a huge achievement. In the second year, the only thing you can say was the injuries. We had too many. We never got that consistency.

"Perception is not reality and that is a tough job. Ole has admitted to that. Rangnick similar. Someone had to come in and steady the ship at least. I have got to say with Ineos, I see a great future for Manchester United. I think they are behind him [Ten Hag] and if they continue like that and stick together United will succeed."

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