Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent comments about Manchester United are damning, and although the Portuguese superstar isn’t blameless when it comes to the Red Devils’ struggles, Erik Ten Hag’s days at the helm are numbered.
That is the view of former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker Stan Collymore, who believes it is only a matter of time before the Dutch manager is replaced in the Old Trafford dugout.
Although now at Al-Nassr, Ronaldo recently dropped an explosive interview criticising his former club; claiming everything at the Red Devils needed to be rebuilt. The 39-year-old also laid into Ten Hag.
“You cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the Premier League or Champions League,” the five-time Ballon d’Or winner told FiveUK.
“You’ve to say like ‘maybe we’ve not the potential but we’re going to try. You have to try!”
‘Ironic’ Cristiano Ronaldo told he’s not wrong
And reacting to Ronaldo’s latest criticism, Collymore believes the forward’s return to United three years ago played a major part in the club’s struggles.
“I agree with Cristiano Ronaldo when he says everything needs to be rebuilt at Manchester United,” he said in an exclusive interview.
“I hope he’s being ironic though — because his return for a second spell at Old Trafford to many was proof the club had lost its marbles.
“United, with Ronaldo there for a second time, became a club of headlines, headline makers and galactic nonsense rather than being a serious football club.”
Erik Ten Hag’s days at Man United are numbered
And although Collymore has defended Ten Hag for the problems he faced when he succeeded Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the following year, the retired striker believes it is just a matter of time before he is sacked.
“Erik Ten Hag is a dead man walking but Ronaldo’s comments should only serve to remind United fans of the circus that the Dutchman came into rather than any pile-on comments the mercurial Portuguese now makes,” he added.
Ten Hag is among the favourites to be the first Premier League manager to be sacked this season.
Russell Martin and Sean Dyche are also under immense pressure at Southampton and Everton, respectively.