Piers Morgan has branded Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag a clown after the Dutchman claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo needed to be in better shape while at the club.
Ronaldo left Old Trafford under a storm prior to the World Cup after conducting an interview with Morgan on the presenter's TalkTV show. During the conversation, the 37-year-old criticised Ten Hag as well as the Glazers, the club in general and former teammates Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville who he deemed unfairly targeted him.
United came to the decision to part ways with the Portuguese forward making Ronaldo the only free agent at the tournament in Qatar. The Reds are currently in Spain undergoing warm weather training as they prepare for the return of competitive domestic football.
Ahead of their match with Real Betis on Saturday, Ten Hag sat down with the media, including the MEN, and was quizzed on Ronaldo's departure. When asked if it would be easier for United to move forward without the 37-year-old, the Dutch manager said: "When he is in good shape, he is a good player and he could help us to get back and achieve the objectives we have.
"That is quite clear. But he wasn’t."
Having seen those comments relayed on social media, Morgan leapt to the defence of Ronaldo and criticised Ten Hag in the process. In a tweet, he wrote: "‘When he’s in good shape, he’s a good player.’
"Hard to imagine why Ronaldo felt disrespected by this clown, isn’t it.." Ronaldo was once more in the headlines for his behaviour on Tuesday during Portugal's clash with Switzerland.
Ronaldo was dropped to the bench for the fixture which the Portuguese won 6-1. The 37-year-old's replacement Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick on the night but all was not well post-match.
United's former forward was seen leaving the celebrations at the end of the game early and reports after the fixture from Portugal claimed that Ronaldo had threatened to 'walk out' from the World Cup camp. Portugal's FA has since denied these claims.
adesinaalamu
20
Mr. Morgan...if Erik Ten Hàn is a clown for saying Ronaldo wasn't in Better Shape, then I agree 👍💯 because Portugal manager himself also knows Ronaldo not yet in Better Shape
Yumbcnrstu
11
I se 2 clowns 🤡 in the picture but Ten Hag isn’t there!
fihacepy
10
Ronaldo is just tripping. He is. Teams he use to help now look better without him. Hard to take… He is out of shape. It is not about the 6pacs… Piers he doesn’t have to loose shape like you cause u a pig preserving friendship for relevance. Shame he doesn’t know sports is the real one using him for news everyday and make more money. he can’t run as before. Can’t do superhuman things like before. He can’t play when the opposition is playing high intense football. and we understand because he is 37. And he will remain the Greatest goal scorer I have ever watched with it without any football anymore. He has done it all. The GOAT. But he needs to understand it too…. But I understand. He wants more. Especially when Messi is popping.