Piers Morgan adds salt to Erik ten Hag's wound after Manchester United controversy

Piers Morgan has criticised Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag after Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 132nd international goal on Sunday night. Ronaldo scored the winner two minutes from time in Portugal's 2-1 Nations League win over Scotland.

Ronaldo rose to prominence with the Red Devils early in his career after joining the club from Sporting as an 18-year-old in 2003.

He then enjoyed success with Real Madrid and Juventus before returning to Old Trafford for a second spell in 2021.

Ronaldo returned to United when his former team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge and later served under Ralf Rangnick. But his United career ultimately came to an abrupt end just months after Ten Hag was appointed in charge at Old Trafford.

After falling down the pecking order under the Dutchman and being handed a one-match ban by club officials for his apparent refusal to come on in a Premier League game against Tottenham, Ronaldo spoke out against Ten Hag in an interview with broadcaster Morgan ahead of the 2022 World Cup.

And the successful star never played for United again, with the club agreeing to terminate his contract.

Ronaldo then joined Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he scored 62 goals in 68 appearances. And he continued to represent Portugal on the international stage.

The 39-year-old got his name on the scoresheet in his country's 2-1 win over Croatia on Thursday and then found the back of the net for the second time in four days when he came on as a substitute to beat Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn on Sunday.

And Morgan couldn't resist the opportunity to rub salt in Ten Hag's wound after United's dismal start to the new campaign.

The Arsenal fan and former Good Morning Britain host spoke to X after Ronaldo's winning goal against Scotland and posted a picture of himself sitting next to the striker with the caption: “REMINDER: Erik ten Hag kicked @Cristiano out of Manchester United and said he wouldn't lose any sleep over it. I think Erik might need some Ambien tonight.”

Morgan then criticised Ten Hag during an interview on talkSPORT on Monday.

United have endured a slow start to the Premier League season under Ten Hag for the third consecutive season, with the former Ajax boss struggling to resolve his team's problems.

And just before the international break, the 13-time Premier League champions were humiliated by Liverpool at Old Trafford, the Merseyside giants winning 3-0. Ten Hag's side had already lost 2-1 to Brighton after a 1-0 win over Fulham on the opening day of the new season. And that run leaves United 14th in the table after three games.