Ronaldo dismisses Ten Hag as 'not worth talking about' as feud reignites

Cristiano Ronaldo has privately dismissed Erik ten Hag as someone ‘not worth talking about’, according to Piers Morgan, after the former Manchester United manager publicly claimed the Al Nassr striker had been in decline since leaving Real Madrid in 2018.

Ten Hag, who was sacked by United in October 2024, made the pointed remarks in an interview with ESPN, stating: “The reality is also that he hasn’t been able to deliver for the last seven or eight years. From Juventus onwards, it was simply over.” He also praised Real Madrid for their timing in parting ways with Ronaldo while he was still perceived to be at his peak.

Morgan, a close friend of Ronaldo’s, relayed the Al Nassr forward’s reaction on his show Football Uncensored. “I did ask Cristiano about it and he said he didn’t think that Ten Hag was worth talking about,” Morgan said.

The pair’s relationship collapsed spectacularly in 2022 when Ronaldo sat down with Morgan for a wide-ranging interview in which he criticised the club’s hierarchy, his manager, and the direction of the squad. United subsequently terminated his contract by mutual agreement, ending his second spell at Old Trafford.

Morgan went further in his defence of Ronaldo, arguing that United had been wrong to let him go and that the numbers justified keeping him. “He scored 18 Premier League goals and six Champions League goals in his last full season at Old Trafford,” Morgan said. “How much would United love a striker with that record right now?”

Morgan added that Ronaldo could have contributed for another two or three seasons under the right management, and suggested Ten Hag’s handling of the situation was a significant factor in the breakdown. “He had a guy that disrespected him — a bit like the Portuguese manager is trying to do now. These guys like to make a name for themselves out of Ronaldo.”

Ten Hag’s comments represent his most direct public assessment yet of Ronaldo’s decline, and with Morgan amplifying Ronaldo’s response, the dispute between the former United manager and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner shows little sign of fading.