"Don't go..." Erik ten Hag was warned against joining Man Utd as Cristiano Ronaldo claim made

Erik ten Hag was warned against joining Manchester United by former Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal.

Ten Hag left Ajax to join the Premier League giants in May 2022, penning a three-year deal at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman has instigated an incredible transformation at the club, which has seen them rise to third in the table, hot on the heels of local rivals Manchester City.

Ten Hag also led United to their first piece of silverware in over five years, beating Newcastle United 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final.

They travel to Anfield for a blockbuster contest against Liverpool on Sunday, as United aim to do the double over Jurgen Klopp's side.

However, Ten Hag's close friend and former De Graafschap teammate Hans Kraay has revealed that he was initially warned against taking the job, amid difficulties surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ten Hag warned against Man Utd job

Kraay, formerly of Brighton, revealed that compatriot Van Gaal told Ten Hag not to join United, labelling the club a "mess".

Kraay said (quotes via The Mirror): "It was chaos at the club for a start - and there were the mines laid by Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Erik went to United because he saw the potential and the challenge. You know what Van Gaal said to Ten Hag, don’t you? ‘Erik, it is one big mess at United, don’t go there’."

Van Gaal spent two tumultuous seasons at Old Trafford, as he looked to reclaim the former glories of the Sir Alex Ferguson era.

But despite winning an FA Cup, he was dismissed days later, paving the way for Jose Mourinho's arrival.

It is true that Ten Hag did not have the smoothest of rides to begin with, after Ronaldo went public in his desire to leave the club.

The Portuguese superstar labelled Ten Hag "disrespectful" during a controversial interview which later saw him released by the club.

However, United have come on leaps and bounds since then. They are the only side to remain in all three competitions available to them, leaving fans fantasising over a potential quadruple.

Topics: Louis Van Gaal, Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United, Premier League, Football, Cristiano Ronaldo

Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

@joeadamsjourno