McClaren Spills the Tea: Why Ten Hag Was Right to Blank Ronaldo's Epic Meltdown

Alright, lads, pull up a stool at the pub and let's crack open this one. Steve McClaren, that ginger wizard who once bossed Middlesbrough to Europe and later played wingman for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, has been chatting on 'The Good, the Bad and the Football' podcast. And what's he banging on about? None other than the almighty Ronaldo-Ten Hag showdown from back in late 2022 – you know, the one that had Twitter (or X, whatever it's called now) melting faster than a Cornetto in a microwave.

Picture the scene: Cristiano Ronaldo, the GOAT himself, strutting around Old Trafford like he owns the place. Five Ballon d'Ors, more goals than you've had hot dinners, and suddenly he's not starting every match under new gaffer Ten Hag. Fair play? Ronaldo didn't think so. He pipes up with that bombshell Piers Morgan interview, slagging off the Glazers, moaning about the training ground, and basically calling Ten Hag a tactical toddler. 'I'm not gonna beg for minutes,' he says, all five foot whatever of Portuguese pride puffed up. Club legend? More like club grenade at that point.

Enter Erik ten Hag, the bald Dutch disciplinarian with a stare that could curdle milk. Does he crumble? Does he bench himself out of fear? Nah, mate. He drops Ronaldo for the next game, then suspends him, fines him, and boom – mutually agreed termination. Ronaldo's offski to Al-Nassr with his £173 million-a-year golden parachute, and United breathe a sigh of relief. Fast forward three and a half years to now, February 2026, and McClaren's giving Ten Hag a massive pat on the back for holding the line.

'As reported by Sky Sports, McClaren reckoned Ten Hag showed proper bottle,' McClaren enthused on the pod. 'That row could've derailed everything, but Erik stood firm. It sent a message to the squad: no one's bigger than the club, not even CR7.' Spot on, Stevie. Remember, McClaren was right there in the trenches as assistant manager, watching Ten Hag transform a rabble into... well, a slightly less rabble-y United side. They won the Carabao Cup that year, finished third in the league, and suddenly the 'Ten Hag out' brigade were eating their words.

But let's not sugarcoat it – it was proper chaos. Ronaldo's interview dropped like a stink bomb just before a derby, fans divided faster than Brexit opinions, and the media circus was in full swing. Pundits screaming 'United legend disrespected!' while others nodded along with Ten Hag's 'respect the manager' vibe. McClaren, with his years of coaching nous from Boro to England (yeah, that Euro 2008 qualifying debacle still haunts), saw it as a defining moment. 'Erik didn't just win the battle; he set the tone for the whole regime,' he said. Humorous in hindsight, innit? Ronaldo tweeting cryptic bollocks, Ten Hag all 'business as usual,' and McClaren probably chuckling in the background like Yoda.

Why does this matter now, in 2026? United's been up and down under Ten Hag – Europa League glory one season, Europa Conference League heartbreak the next. But that Ronaldo stance? It's the bedrock. No more prima donnas dictating terms. Rashford got a slap when he needed it, Sancho was loaned out after his Twitter tantrum, and the kids like Garnacho know their place. McClaren's praise is a reminder: sometimes, waving goodbye to a legend is the best signing you can make.

Of course, Ronaldo's still banging in goals in Saudi, proving he's ageless, but at 41, he's loving the sun and the cash. Ten Hag? Still grinding away, building something sustainable. McClaren, now off doing his coaching thing, reckons it was masterclass leadership. So next time you're at the match and United ship three at the back, remember: at least the gaffer's got spine. Cheers to that, Steve – you've got us all raising a glass to the time Ten Hag told the King to jog on.

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