"I'm happy he's here": Ten Hag throws a WET BLANKET over Ronaldo tensions
The Dutch manager was asked about his relationship with his Portuguese star, but he tried to de-escalate tensions
There are very few jobs more ungrateful than having to pretend like everything is working just as planned when everyone can see that it is not, and that's the way things are for Erik ten Hag right now. The Manchester United manager is having to deal with the constant drama and rumours of Cristiano Ronaldo's wish to leave the club, but the Dutchman can't do anything but put a smile and pretend all is right.
Ten Hag spoke with the press recently on account of their Premier League debut on August 7, when the Red Devils will host Brighton and Hove Albion, and was clearly asked for updates on the situation with the Portuguese star.
"I am really happy he is here", Ten Hag told the journalists present. "We have a top striker. We stick to the plan". After the controversy with Cristiano Ronaldo leaving the ground after being subbed off in Manchester United's friendly against Rayo Vallecano, that hardly seems the case.
Of course, the Dutch manager was also smart enough to deflect the attention from his disgruntled star: "Now I have to point, there were many players who left but the spotlight is on Cristiano", commented Ten Hag, "That is not right, so do your research and make out many players left, that was what was said", before reiterating: "There were a lot of players. I'm really happy, I told you before, we have a top striker, really happy he's here with the squad and we stick to the plan"
The De Jong Situation
The other big news surrounding the Red Devils of course has been the transfer saga of Frenkie de Jong, who by now looks more likely to join another Premier League side than Manchester United.
Questioned on the matter, Ten Hag simply said that he could not comment and would only speak when there were news: "That would be a good situation [to get the deal done], but I am happy with the squad. I am happy with the signings up until now. We are working altogether. I am happy with the current squad and we need the right players. I think we have to look forward to the first game. We want to win every game and we will be trying to do that from Sunday".
Continue reading: Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United: The decline of a love relationship