Real Madrid stars’ player power clashed with United’s vision, Ten Hag reveals

Abdullateef Fowewe

Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has claimed that the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, Casemiro and Raphael Varane introduced a level of player power that did not suit the club’s needs at the time.

In an exclusive interview with The Athletic on Tuesday, the Dutchman reflected on his two-and-a-half years at Old Trafford.

Speaking about what he called the “Madrid connection,” Ten Hag said, “I can say I think that’s what the Real Madrid connection brought in, that players are powerful and they want to decide. In my opinion it did not suit the phase United was in.

“The leadership wanted attacking, dynamic football and these players wanted to play what fitted themselves.”

The trio had enjoyed major success together at Real Madrid, where they won multiple Champions League titles under Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti.

Varane joined United from Madrid in 2021, Ronaldo returned for a second spell the same year, and Casemiro followed in 2022.

Ten Hag was appointed in 2022 and delivered the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024 before being sacked in October 2024.

While the experienced Real Madrid alumni brought leadership and silverware contributions—particularly Casemiro and Varane in the cup finals—their preference for greater freedom on the pitch reportedly created friction with Ten Hag’s more structured, high-intensity approach.

The comments form part of a wider reflection in which Ten Hag discussed dressing-room culture, his relationship with Ronaldo, and broken promises from the club’s hierarchy after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment.

He is now technical director at his boyhood club, FC Twente.