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Liverpool legend agrees with Cristiano Ronaldo's brutal Man Utd truth and slams Erik ten Hag

Former Liverpool stalwart Mark Lawrenson has spoken about the spat between Erik ten Hag and Cristiano Ronaldo
-Credit: (Image: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)


Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson has waded into the debate over Cristiano Ronaldo's comments about Erik ten Hag - as he admitted he agrees with the superstar forward's remarks about the current state of play at Manchester United.

The Portuguese icon engaged in a war of words with the Red Devils head coach as he criticized his claims that his side is currently not in a position to challenge for the Premier League or Champions League. Ten Hag's confession in pre-season that a tilt at the two major prizes on offer this season would be beyond his team came despite United winning a trophy last term.

The 20-time English champions finished eighth in the league in the previous term, with their FA Cup triumph meaning they ended a mixed campaign on a high. However, Ronaldo took issue with the Dutchman's prognosis of where his team is currently at in terms of the expectations heading into this season.

Speaking about whether winning the Premier League or Champions League represented a realistic target, Ten Hag previously told Dutch outlet AD Sportwereld: "We are really a long way away from that."

Calling out the Old Trafford boss for a perceived lack of ambition, Ronaldo issued a stern response to thins on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, saying: "[As] Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the league or Champions League. They can win the Carabao [Cup] – Champions League or Europa League or Premier League, difficult".

However, his remarks garnered a swift response from the former Ajax coach as he appeared to distance himself from his previous words, while taking a swipe at Ronaldo, saying: "No, he said this, if you read the article very well. He is far away in the Saudi [Arabian league], so everyone can have an opinion and is entitled to have an opinion. It is OK."

Former BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson gave his verdict on the war of words between Erik ten Hag and Cristiano Ronaldo
Former BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson gave his verdict on the war of words between Erik ten Hag and Cristiano Ronaldo -Credit:Dan Istitene/Getty Images

Now, former Reds stalwart Lawrenson has revealed his stance on the issue, telling Paddy Power: "With his comments about Erik ten Hag, people are just trying to get a bit of a story, all he’s done is answer the questions. I read what he said about ten Hag, and he said, ‘you need to be winning games at Manchester United’ and you should never admit you’re not ready – which I agree with."

The pundit also made a wider point about United's current midfield options as he admitted that he was unconvinced Casemiro deserves to remain in the starting XI. He confessed: "I don’t think you can keep the faith with Casemiro. He was an unbelievable player at Real Madrid - there’s no doubt about it but once your legs go, you go.

“He just had probably the worst game of his life against Liverpool, and I don’t see him starting the next game at all. Whoever comes in will have a chance of getting a run in the team. But Manchester United have to be very careful because that midfield still looks all over the place, regardless of Casemiro."

The former Anfield great added: "It doesn’t look like a midfield that’s going to stop the opposition. It’ll be interesting to see what team Erik ten Hag plays at Southampton because he is now seriously under massive pressure. When he said that the team wasn't ready yet – you never say that. I really don’t get it."