Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has revealed fresh details about his difficult spell at Old Trafford, accusing the club’s leadership of failing to honour key promises and explaining the decisions that shaped his reign.
In an interview with The Athletic, published by Sky Sports on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the Dutchman discussed his strained relationship with the club’s hierarchy, his unsuccessful attempts to sign Harry Kane and Declan Rice, and his disagreements with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ten Hag, who managed United from 2022 until his dismissal in October 2024, also reflected on the FA Cup victory that helped him retain his position for a short period.
Ten Hag Claims Man Utd Failed to Keep Its Promises
Ten Hag said Manchester United’s leadership promised him greater backing, loyalty and communication during discussions following the club’s 2024 FA Cup triumph.
The victory over Manchester City at Wembley had helped ease pressure on the manager after a difficult Premier League campaign. United subsequently extended his contract by activating an additional year.
However, Ten Hag claimed the club failed to deliver on important assurances made during discussions in Ibiza.
One major source of frustration was the sale of Scott McTominay to Napoli in the summer of 2024. According to Ten Hag, he had specifically asked the club not to sell the midfielder, who had scored 10 goals during the previous campaign.
United eventually sold McTominay for approximately £25.7 million as they sought to fund other transfers.
Ten Hag said the decision disappointed him because he believed the team needed players capable of contributing goals.
He also expressed frustration over the lack of communication surrounding the club’s plans and the uncertainty about his future, particularly as reports emerged that United were considering potential replacements before the FA Cup final.
United dismissed Ten Hag in October 2024 after a poor start to the following season.
Why Ten Hag Wanted Harry Kane and Declan Rice
The former United boss disclosed that he pushed the club to sign England internationals Harry Kane and Declan Rice as he attempted to build a stronger squad.
Kane was Ten Hag’s preferred centre-forward target during the summer of 2023. The manager said he made his preference clear to the club’s leadership but was ultimately told that the transfer could not be completed.
Kane subsequently left Tottenham Hotspur for Bayern Munich in a deal worth approximately €110 million.
The England captain has since established himself as a prolific goalscorer in Germany, strengthening the debate about what his arrival at Old Trafford might have meant for United.
Ten Hag also wanted Rice, who was playing for West Ham United before joining Arsenal in 2023 for a reported package worth more than £100 million.
The Dutchman acknowledged that West Ham were reluctant to sell their captain but believed United could have explored the possibility more aggressively.
He explained that his recruitment priorities included strengthening midfield, improving the defence and adding more goals to the team.
Ten Hag also identified Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong as an important target, although that move failed to materialise.
According to the former manager, United needed experienced, high-quality players who could immediately improve the team rather than relying heavily on footballers who were still developing.
Ten Hag Explains His Fallout With Cristiano Ronaldo
Ten Hag also revisited his breakdown in relations with Cristiano Ronaldo, who returned to Manchester United in 2021 before the Dutchman took charge the following year.
The manager said he initially respected Ronaldo and had travelled to Portugal to discuss his plans with the forward before accepting the United job.
However, Ten Hag claimed the Portuguese star failed to meet the standards he expected in training and matches.
He alleged that Ronaldo sometimes missed training sessions, did not work at the intensity required and failed to complete all the running exercises assigned to the squad after their 4-0 defeat against Brentford in August 2022.
Ten Hag said he confronted Ronaldo about his preparation and movement, arguing that even elite players must contribute to the team's collective work.
He added that his decisions were based on what he believed was best for United rather than his personal admiration for individual players.
Their relationship deteriorated further after Ronaldo refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur in October 2022. The forward later criticised the club and manager in a televised interview before leaving United by mutual agreement in November that year.
Ronaldo's representatives had not responded to the latest allegations at the time of the interview's publication, according to reporting by The Athletic.
FA Cup Glory Remains a Special Memory
Despite his criticism of the club's leadership, Ten Hag spoke warmly about his time at Manchester United and the supporters who backed him.
The 2024 FA Cup final was a defining moment in his tenure. United defeated Manchester City 2-1 at Wembley, securing a major trophy against their local rivals and strengthening the argument for retaining the manager.
Ten Hag described the celebrations after the final as the best moment of his time in Manchester.
He had already guided United to the League Cup in 2023, making him the first manager since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement to win two major domestic trophies with the club during his tenure.
Nevertheless, the FA Cup success could not prevent his eventual dismissal several months later.
Ten Hag Calls for Patience at Man Utd
Ten Hag also urged Manchester United to make rational decisions about their managerial position, expressing support for Michael Carrick amid renewed scrutiny of the club's performances.
He argued that changing managers repeatedly would not necessarily solve United's deeper structural problems.
According to Ten Hag, success requires a clear footballing identity, an effective recruitment strategy, strong leadership and sufficient time to build a team.
His comments offer a revealing account of the disagreements behind his departure and highlight the challenges facing a club that continues to seek sustained success in domestic and European football.
The interview also raises questions about how different recruitment decisions, stronger communication and a more consistent long-term strategy might have influenced Ten Hag's time at Old Trafford.