Erik ten Hag arrived at Manchester United with a reputation as an arch disciplinarian who players were warned not to cross.
As United's most high-profile player, Cristiano Ronaldo, has now found to his cost, Ten Hag's strict reputation was well-founded. After a succession of United managers in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era tried but failed to exert control, Ten Hag has shown the world he is in charge with his ruthless treatment of Ronaldo.
He has followed the Ferguson blueprint in his handling of the Ronaldo situation, echoing his celebrated predecessor with his hardline stance and seeing his stock rise as a result. As the likes of David Beckham, Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney and others found to their cost under Ferguson, no player is bigger than United.
