Erik ten Hag attacked for being bald in Cristiano Ronaldo rant

Arturo Vidal has taken a swipe at Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag over his handling of Cristiano Ronaldo during his time at Old Trafford.

Vidal has claimed that Ten Hag’s bald head is what makes him a “complicated” manager. Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United in 2021 was seen as a homecoming that would help the club return to its glory days.

Under the management of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ronaldo got off to a flying start, scoring 18 goals in 30 Premier League appearances in his comeback season.

However, things took a turn when Erik ten Hag took charge of the club in 2021. The Dutch manager often left Ronaldo out of the starting lineup in favor of high-pressing forwards, leading to discontent behind the scenes.

Ronaldo didn’t hide his frustration, even leaving two matches early when it became apparent he wouldn’t be brought on as a substitute.

His candid interview with Piers Morgan, in which he expressed his grievances effectively paved the way for his exit from the club.

After several jabs at Erik ten Hag, the 38-year-old was suspended and mutually agreed to terminate his contract with Manchester United.

While the criticism of Ten Hag might have been more fitting when Ronaldo’s departure was fresh, Vidal’s recent comments have raised eyebrows. Especially considering that even Solskjaer has admitted that bringing Ronaldo back to the Theatre of Dreams might have been the wrong decision.

Solskjaer, in an interview with The Athletic, said, “It was a decision that was very difficult to turn down, and I felt we had to take it, but it turned out wrong. It felt so right when he signed, and the fans felt that during that Newcastle game when Old Trafford was rocking after Ronaldo scored twice in a 4-1 win. He was still one of the best goalscorers in the world, he was looking strong.”

Vidal’s critique of Ten Hag, given the hindsight and Ronaldo’s current stint in the Saudi Pro League may not hold as much weight.

Nevertheless, it’s clear that the memory of Ronaldo’s departure and the circumstances surrounding it still linger in the football world.

The saga serves as a reminder of the complexities of managing a football superstar like Cristiano Ronaldo and the challenges that come with it, regardless of one’s hairline.