'He's far away in Saudi' - Ten Hag brushes off Ronaldo criticism

Erik ten Hag brushed aside Cristiano Ronaldo's criticism about his ambition as the under-fire Manchester United manager says he shuts out the external noise.

The 39-year-old's second spell at Old Trafford ended in a high-profile break-up in November 2022 after making a variety of eye-catching comments in an interview, including criticising his manager.

Ronaldo this week hit out at Ten Hag again for having said the club were a long way away from winning the Premier League and Champions League, saying a United manager cannot say that.

The Al-Nassr star also told the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast that United need to "rebuild everything" and that it "will be difficult" for them to challenge for the biggest trophies.

When Ronaldo's comments about his mentality were put to him, Ten Hag said: "He said that Manchester United can't win the Premier League. No, he said this if you read the article very well.

"So, he's far away in Saudi, far from Manchester. Everyone is entitled to have an opinion. It's OK."

Ronaldo's interview has added to the noise during an international break that immediately followed a 3-0 home humbling by Liverpool.

Asked how the noise around United affects him, Erik ten Hag said: "It doesn't impact me. I know in the process where we are, what we have to do, where we are going.

"I have said before we are still in a transition period. We have to integrate a lot of young players also in the team.

"We are still dealing with injuries, we have to bring the injuries back in the team.

"Before anyone thinks about excuses, no, we have to win every game.

"I know that, the team knows this and it doesn't matter who is available. We will focus on every game and have in every game the mindset that we have to win."

Leny Yoro, Mason