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.
Under Ten Hag, Ronaldo has suffered the same fate, dropped for today's game at Chelsea and made to train alone after refusing to come on in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Tottenham. With United struggling for goals and with few forward options, given Anthony Martial's prolonged absence, Ten Hag knows he can ill-afford to be without Ronaldo as an option from the bench.
But the 52-year-old said he had to take the action he did to maintain standards and discipline within United's squad, irrespective of the detrimental impact it may have on the team. Ferguson famously did just that on New Year's Eve in 2011, dropping Rooney, Jonny Evans and Darron Gibson for a home game against bottom-of-the-table Blackburn, following a drinking episode.
United lost 3-2 and went on to lose the title to Manchester City on goal difference, but Ferguson said he had to put the interests of the club first, just as Ten Hag has done with Ronaldo.
“When I got appointed, I talked to the directors about the culture, top sport culture, standards, and that's why they appointed me,” said Ten Hag.
“They did some background checks and we had talks about how I lead, what my personality is, how I do it in a strategic way and about my standards and leadership. That's what it's about. To get a top sports culture and to set the highest standards, we have to live by them. That's what we do at the moment.
“It’s about the club. I have to take decisions in the interests of the club and the team especially, that’s my job. It doesn’t matter who it is, the age or reputation. The expectations of Manchester United are really high. The ambitions are high.
“Our fans, all of our stakeholders, expect results, so you have to act to certain standards and work every day on that."
Ten Hag had already warned Ronaldo, after the forward left Old Trafford at half-time during a pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano back in August. After his latest transgressions – refusing to come off the bench and leaving Old Trafford before the end of the game – Ten Hag said he had no choice but to discipline Ronaldo.
“I think everyone understands that both are not acceptable, so I don’t want to grade it,” said Ten Hag. “I sent a warning at the start of the season - next time there have to be consequences.
“It's a difficult decision, it’s clear. But there have to be consequences for bad behaviour, especially when it's the second time. You can’t let it go, otherwise it will be miserable for the future.
“You have to take this measure, but I don’t like it, because I prefer the squad with Cristiano onboard.”
