Erik ten Hag hits back at journalist after question about Cristiano Ronaldo

Erik ten Hag showed he's not going to take any guff, when he hit back at a journalists question about Cristiano Ronaldo leaving a game early.

Last weekend Ronaldo made his only appearance in pre season as Manchester United hosted Rayo Vallecano in a friendly at Old Trafford.

After just 45 minutes of action, having missed the tour to Australia for 'personal reasons,' the five time Ballon d'Or winner was subbed off at the break.

He made headlines after he was spotted leaving the ground early, rather than staying till the end of the match, however he wasn't the only player to do so.

Others were also seen departing prematurely, including Diogo Dalot, and Ten Hag spoke out against them, saying it was 'unacceptable' that players left early.

On Friday, Ten Hag sat in his first post match press conference in England, ahead of United's opening game of the season, against Brighton on Sunday.

The Dutchman was asked by PA's Simon Peach about Ronaldo leaving early, and the manager's comments on it, and the 52-year-old wasn't happy that it was only the Portugal forward was being asked about.

He pointed at the journalist, giving him a stern telling off, reiterating that several players left the game, making Peach having to reconsider how he asked the question.

EtH put a lot of fear into @SimonPeach here. His voice sounds as if he’s trembling with fear…😭 pic.twitter.com/gGM4ug1SsP

— 𝗧𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗴’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘀 ✍🏼🇳🇱 (@TenHagBalI) August 5, 2022

It is not the first time that the English press have found out that the former Ajax manager isn't going to take any thing he doesn't like lying down.

Ten Hag first visited United at the end of last season, as he was in the stadium to see them lose 1-0 on the last day of the campaign to Crystal Palace.

He, slightly ironically, left early to avoid too much focus but one Sky Sports presenter tracked him down and attempted to get a word in.

The new United manager wasn't having any of it and ignored the reporter, who got very annoyed when Ten Hag's security got in between him and the man he was trying to interview.

As well as journalists, Ten Hag has already been impressing United fans with his honest approach towards his players, even the younger ones.

In the 87th minute of a pre season friendly win against Palace, the former Bayern Munich II's manager could be heard shouting "what the f*** are you doing?" to one of his players.

Even before the tour, a video of him overseeing training went viral for his attention to detail and his honesty, telling his players they were 'making too many mistakes.'

No one will want to cross the boss, whether it's players or journalists, considering how he's willing to deal with them!