Erik ten Hag Borrowed Ruthless Rule From Alex Ferguson’s Handbook When Dealing With Cristiano Ronaldo

• Sir Alex Ferguson would have been proud of the bold step made by Erik ten Hag to drop Cristiano Ronaldo from the squad
• The legendary Sir Alex opined in his autobiography that whenever a player felt he was too important, he had to go
• Ronaldo is now training with the U21s, after his decision to walk off the pitch before the final whistle against Tottenham Hotspur

The fallout between Cristiano Ronaldo and Erik ten Hag has been an on-and-off thing, ever since the former failed to show up for the latter's first pre-season training.

Ronaldo has been regularly sidelined from ten Hag's startling lineups as the former Ajax manager continues to build a side to his own liking.

Ten Hag hasn't been afraid of making big decisions like benching Ronaldo. It is not common that a manager in his right thinking could bench a striker that has scored approximately 40 goals every season.

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However, ten Hag has been bold and he has been vindicated. His side appears to perform better whenever the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is not playing.

This in turn has led to Ronaldo sulking, which hit a new low when he walked off the pitch against Tottenham.

Ten Hag's response was swift and firm - Ronaldo was dropped from the squad preparing to face Chelsea. He was further banished from training with the first-team squad and rumour has it Ronaldo might be allowed to leave the club in January.

How Ferguson dealt with Beckham

Does this treatment ring a bell, in the context of David Beckham's relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson? Beckham was a star who Ferguson got rid of once things started going south.

Ferguson explained in his autobiography:

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"The minute a Manchester United player thought he was bigger than the manager, he had to go."

Perhaps this was a policy that enabled the retired coach to lead a very successful career. Ten Hag has shown Ronaldo that he is not in charge, his impressive achievements notwithstanding.

It currently looks like a long way back for Ronaldo now, but he certainly knows there is a line to be towed.

Ten Hag addresses Ronaldo situation

Sports Brief had earlier reported that Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has spoken publicly for the first time on the debacle involving Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese superstar made headlines for all the wrong reasons yet again, as cameras picked him walking off during United’s clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, October 19.

United have subsequently suspended Ronaldo from the side’s weekend trip to Chelsea, and the 37-year-old will also be forced to train alone as a result of his actions.