Erik ten Hag praised for handling of Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United

Erik ten Hag has been praised for his handling of Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United after a departure from Old Trafford never materialised for the forward.

In pre-season, the 37-year-old made it clear to United that he wished to be sold should a 'reasonable offer' be submitted for his services. That reasonable offer never arrived and Ronaldo has ended up remaining with the Reds.

Game time for the legendary striker has been hard to come by this season with the Reds doing well in the Premier League without the inclusion of the Portuguese ace. Some had claimed that Ronaldo would be disgruntled on the bench but according to Dutch coach Foppe de Haan, Ten Hag has done brilliantly to keep him on board.

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"With Ten Hag, people often think: what kind of man is that?" De Haan has told De Telegraaf. "But when he starts talking about football, you immediately know wait a minute, this guy knows what he wants.

"He really has an idea and makes it trainable. He makes demands, is very clear about them and seems completely reliable in the things he wants and does.

"That’s why he has lasted so long at clubs. Ten Hag has also noticed where football is heading. The game in small spaces and the extremely physical. Not in the sense of power-boys, but who are quick and skilful and can run.

"They [previous United managers] all had a lot of trouble with that [the players] after Sir Alex Ferguson. He was also very clear immediately towards Cristiano Ronaldo.

"That was good. He sat on the bench against Arsenal and is smiling again.

"That is very clever. Trust is very important, then you also give that to another. Then, you dare and you don’t see an enemy behind every tree."

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