Erik ten Hag has again delivered a pointed assessment of Cristiano Ronaldo, repeating his view that the forward’s reputation for relentless professionalism does not match what he saw later in his career.

Speaking on ESPN’s Goedemorgen Eredivisie program, the former Manchester United manager said Ronaldo “hasn’t been able to deliver” at the level associated with the game’s elite for several years. Ten Hag also argued that the decline was visible before the striker returned to Manchester United in 2021.

Ronaldo’s standing has long rested on discipline and self-improvement. As a teenager at Sporting CP, he would sneak into the club gym at night for extra sessions, a habit that helped shape a career which first took him to Manchester United in 2003.

At Old Trafford, Ronaldo himself has spoken about the standards he absorbed. “Everything was a lesson for me,” he would tell The Times years later. “[Being at United] taught me to train hard all the time … to eat properly, sleep good, recovery sessions, everything. You have to dedicate yourself 100%.”

Ten Hag, however, said that by the time Ronaldo returned to Manchester, the commitment he expected was no longer there. “He could no longer bring himself to endure the necessary suffering,” the Dutch coach said. “To get the most out of every single day. To get fit. If you aren’t fit in the Premier League , you don’t stand a chance. He’s still capable of finishing chances—you can still see that. But if you can no longer get into the penalty area…”

The manager added that the issue was discussed directly. “You hold up a mirror to him and present arguments that hold water. Then, things become very clear.”

Ten Hag also said the wider lesson was about sacrifice. “Every top team needs to embrace its star player, but that star player must also be willing to make sacrifices for the sake of the team,” he admitted. “That was precisely the problem with Ronaldo.”

Ronaldo’s second spell ended after an interview during the mid-season World Cup break. “Ultimately, the choice was his,” Ten Hag said. “Whether he was willing to make that investment. If he wasn’t, then I had to make different decisions for the sake of the club. And that’s what we saw happen.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjær has moved to clarify the extent of his contact with Manchester United, saying he did hold talks about a possible return as interim manager but that the discussions stopped well short of any formal process. Speaking to Norwegian outlet TV2, the former United player and manager said: “I had a good chat with Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada,” Solskjær confessed to Norwegian outlet TV2 . “We didn’t discuss contract length or anything of the sort. I offered to step in if needed, and I made no demands. I shared my thoughts on what is required for the club to move forward. We had one brief conversation. There were no negotiations.”

Solskjær was linked with the role after United moved on from Ruben Amorim, but the job ultimately went to Michael Carrick, his former teammate and assistant coach. Carrick’s appointment was later made permanent after a strong finish to the 2025–26 Premier League season. The picture now looks far less settled, with Carrick under heavy scrutiny following three straight defeats and nine matches without a win. He remains in place for the moment, but the pressure around him has intensified.

Even so, Solskjær has not joined the chorus calling for change. He backed Carrick’s appointment in January and still believes the former midfielder is capable of handling the position. “Michael has what it takes to take that club forward,” Solskjær stated. “I think he’s the right man. He understands the club, understands the fans, and knows what’s required. You don’t see that ‘devil’ in him. But it’s there, and I have it too. We are so incredibly alike.

“Perhaps not many people thought I would become a football coach, certainly not the manager of Manchester United. Many probably thought the same about Michael Carrick. When I spoke with United, I also spoke highly of Michael. ‘If you choose him, you’re getting a good man,’ I said. I believe he did the same for me. Neither of us was desperate to get the job. But we’d likely step up if they asked.”

Solskjær also admitted he still feels unfinished business remains at Old Trafford, though he made clear he is not pushing for the position now.

Manchester United’s latest setback has prompted another hard look at their Premier League prospects, and the numbers are unflattering. With only seven points from nine league matches, and just one win so far, the club sit uncomfortably close to the relegation zone as November begins. They are only two points clear of bottom side Sunderland, a position that underlines how quickly the season has gone wrong.

Opta’s supercomputer has now updated its projections, and while United are not among the leading candidates to go down, the risk is still significant. The model places their chance of relegation at 20.77%, an extraordinary figure for a side with their scale and history. It also forecasts a season total of 44.82 points, which would leave them in 13th place.

That outcome would still be an improvement on their 2024-25 finish, when they ended up two places lower under Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim. But the broader picture is more troubling. A club that began the campaign aiming to establish itself as a Champions League regular is given just a 1.64% chance of reaching Europe’s top competition, while the prospect of the Europa League sits at only 1.87%.

The margin for error is thin, and the coming weeks may deepen the concern. United face five matches across two competitions before and after the international break, starting with Roma at Old Trafford in the Champions League on Tuesday. Aston Villa then visit in the Premier League, followed by a trip to Liverpool after the break. A Champions League game away to Sporting CP comes next, before Brentford arrive at Old Trafford to close the month.

There is still time for results to change the picture, but Opta’s assessment reflects a season that is already moving in the wrong direction.