EPL: Ronaldo’s exit a risk I had to take, says Man Utd manager Ten Hag

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag admits dropping Cristiano Ronaldo was a “risk”.

However, he says the decision had to be made to set out a cultural shift.

Ronaldo eventually was released and signed for Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr last week.

“Maybe it was a risk but if you want to develop something, if you want to create a winning attitude and winning culture, you have to go this way,” said Ten Hag.

“Everyone will do it their own way. But if you allow them to be ill-disciplined, if you don’t match the standards, values and rules we set together as a team and as staff —and if you don’t have that togetherness in the dressing room — then it will come back and it will blow up in your face.

“‘On the pitch that will happen if you do not have the discipline needed to win games. It’s about big responsibility, so you have to go that way.”