In an interview with Athletic on 1/5, McClaren detailed the atmosphere inside Manchester United during the 2022-2023 season, a period marked by a power struggle between Ten Hag and Ronaldo. McClaren stated he quickly realized Ten Hag and Ronaldo could not coexist long-term at Old Trafford. "I told Erik very early on: 'It's either you, or it's him'", the former Alex Ferguson assistant recounted.

According to McClaren, Ten Hag viewed pressing from the front line as fundamental to his tactical system. The Dutch coach demanded that the forward be the first to press after the team lost possession, even if it required continuous bursts of speed.

"The requirement was that when possession was lost, Ronaldo had to immediately move into the central area, become the first presser, then run a second, a third time if needed," McClaren said. "Ten Hag wanted that."

HLV Erik ten Hag and Cristiano Ronaldo during the Portuguese superstar's final match for Man Utd, against Aston Villa at Villa Park, Birmingham, United Kingdom, 6/11/2022. Photo: Reuters

However, Ronaldo disagreed with this approach. According to McClaren, the Portuguese forward repeatedly reacted during discussions with the coaching staff. "Ronaldo would often say something like: 'Nobody wants to press'", McClaren recalled. "But we told him that a modern team needs eleven players attacking together and also eleven players defending together."

McClaren attributed the issue to a conflict between two football generations. Ronaldo grew up in an era where attacking superstars enjoyed more freedom, while Ten Hag represented the high-intensity pressing trend dominating European football.

The former England national team coach added that this clash significantly impacted Manchester United's internal dynamics. "Perhaps one half of the dressing room thought Ronaldo was right, the other half thought Erik was right," he stated.

Ronaldo, at the time, still held significant influence among the players, thanks to his legendary status at the club and his personality in the dressing room. Many young players had grown up with the image of the Portuguese superstar dominating world football for nearly two decades.

Yet, Ten Hag did not change his stance. The Dutch coach believed that if he conceded to Ronaldo, he would lose the power base necessary to build the team. "With Alex Ferguson back in the day, if he was right, players had to accept it. Otherwise, they would be out," McClaren said. "That was the power Ferguson built over many years."

Ferguson once told McClaren about the early stage of his tenure at Manchester United, when he had to fight daily to change the team's culture. Therefore, McClaren somewhat understood what Ten Hag experienced in his first season at Old Trafford. The key difference was that Ferguson was given almost absolute time to rebuild the team, while Ten Hag was not.

Garnacho (right) was among the players who looked up to Ronaldo as a role model. Photo: Reuters

McClaren also acknowledged that many other coaches might have chosen to adjust their system to accommodate Ronaldo. However, Ten Hag took the opposite approach. The 56-year-old coach maintained his tactical principles despite the conflict with the team's biggest player.

"There are coaches who would try to adapt to maximize Ronaldo's output," McClaren explained. "But Erik did not want to alter the structure just for one individual."

The relationship between Ronaldo and Ten Hag subsequently deteriorated beyond repair. Ronaldo gradually lost his starting position before conducting a sensational interview with MC Piers Morgan in 11/2022.

In that conversation, Ronaldo publicly criticized Ten Hag, Manchester United's board, and the club's declining state. He also expressed skepticism towards young coaches who pursued modern pressing football. "I don't understand some new coaches," Ronaldo said at the time. "They think they've just found the last Coca-Cola can in the desert."

Just over one week after the interview, Manchester United terminated Ronaldo's contract six months early. The Portuguese forward then joined Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

Nevertheless, McClaren affirmed that Ronaldo generally behaved professionally for most of his time working with Ten Hag. The problem lay in the two sides no longer sharing the same view on how to play football.

That departure marked a turning point in the post-Ferguson era at Manchester United. Ronaldo left, while Ten Hag remained for two more seasons, winning the League Cup and FA Cup, before leaving the club in 10/2024.

For McClaren, the Ronaldo story illustrates the profound changes in modern football. In this era, even the biggest superstars must adapt to collective tactical demands. "Football is different now," he concluded. "A player can be a legend, but if they don't fit the system, things will be very difficult."

Hoang An (according to Athletic)