Erik ten Hag is not holding back about Cristiano Ronaldo.

The former Manchester United manager said in a Dutch TV interview on Sunday that Ronaldo was not fit or committed enough during their time together at Old Trafford.

"He is of course a tremendous player, one of the greats of all time," Ten Hag said. "But that is also the reality over the last seven, eight years he simply can no longer deliver. From Juventus onwards it's simply over."

'Could no longer push through the pain'

Ronaldo returned to United from Juventus in 2021 and scored 27 goals in 54 games. He clashed with Ten Hag, who often left him out of the lineup. United ended his contract in November 2022 after he said in a TV interview that he felt betrayed by the manager.

Ten Hag said Ronaldo "could no longer bring himself to push through the pain" to get fit. He also pushed back on Ronaldo's image as a fitness fanatic. "That's not entirely true, but that is the image," he said.

He praised Real Madrid for knowing when to say goodbye to stars. He also pointed to Lionel Messi as a great player who worked for his team with Argentina.

"No one is bigger than a club or a country," Ten Hag said. "Not even Cristiano Ronaldo and not even Messi."

A warning for his old club

Ten Hag, now technical director at Dutch club FC Twente, also said United going down this season is "certainly possible."

United lost 2-0 at Chelsea on Saturday and sit 17th. Only goal difference keeps them out of the drop zone under coach Michael Carrick. Aston Villa and Liverpool are next.

"If you end up on the wrong side once and you really get into that vicious circle — yes, then it can become very, very difficult," Ten Hag said. United have not been relegated since 1974.