Erik ten Hag's patience with Cristiano Ronaldo finally ran out after he broke manager's rules in Premier League game
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Cristiano Ronaldo's fate at Manchester United was sealed after Erik ten Hag lost his patience during last season's 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa.
Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo was already at odds with his manager after storming down the tunnel during a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur the month prior.
Ten Hag attempted to put that behind the pair for the trip to Villa Park, even handing Ronaldo the captaincy in the absence of then-skipper Harry Maguire.
It did little to change their relationship. United's nine-match unbeaten run came to an end thanks to goals from Leon Bailey, Lucas Digne and Jacob Ramsey in Unai Emery's first game in charge.
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In the brief time Ronaldo and Ten Hag worked together, the Dutch coach attempted to have Ronaldo play a more progressive style and get involved in build-up play.
The Portugal icon managed to score 24 goals in his first full season after returning to Old Trafford, although it came at a cost. United came sixth and recorded their lowest-ever Premier League points tally.
Ten Hag preferred Marcus Rashford or Anthony Martial in the striker role as it allowed United to maintain possession with more authority.
It's something they failed to do on that fateful day in the West Midlands, which ended up being Ronaldo's final game for the club.
When asked if it was his instruction to launch balls directly to Ronaldo, Ten Hag replied: "No, I think it was stupid to do that.
"We delivered crosses in from too far and too forcing. Then, we don't help him. We have to bring in the crosses at the right moment.
"I think in the second half also we bring too quickly the crosses in. The right moment was from Christian Eriksen in the first half and he found the moment in the pocket to deliver the ball to Cristiano at the far post. That was the right moment."
Ronaldo would miss midweek victory over Villa in the Carabao Cup and a last-gasp win over Fulham in the Premier League a week later through illness.
Hours after that Fulham triumph, a teaser for his explosive tell-all interview with Piers Morgan dropped and the rest is history.
Ronaldo left the Red Devils by 'mutual agreement' days following the interview and signed for Saudi Pro League outfit Al Nassr.
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Featured Image Credit: Getty Images
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Aston Villa, Premier League
