“I don’t understand” – Cristiano Ronaldo hits back at ‘he doesn’t press’ claims

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has suggested that he doesn’t entirely agree with Erik ten Hag wanting him to press more upfront during matches.

A lot has been said concerning Ronaldo’s work rate without the ball with many pundits suggesting that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s inability to press has played a role in United’s struggles in the front of goal.

The 37-year-old understands pressing is part of the game, as that’s what Ten Hag wants from his players, but doesn’t entirely agree with the Dutchman.

Speaking to Piers Morgan, he said on criticisms of his pressing: “It’s something that I don’t understand. It’s the new coaches that are coming around, they think they find the last Coca Cola in the desert, which is I don’t understand the football that invents many, many years.

“I respect any coach, every different approach, different opinions, different mentality, but kind of some points that you’re not agree [with].

“I’ve always been, besides the best coaches in the world: Zidane and Ancelotti, Mourinho, Fernando Santos, Allegri… so I have kind of, some experience because I learn from them.

“When you see some coaches that are coming, they want the revolution [in] the football, I don’t agree, I have my opinion. They agree or they don’t – but it’s part of the business because at the end of the day, I’m in a club to win.”