Erik ten Hag faces ultimate Cristiano Ronaldo irony two years after Man Utd fallout

Manchester United’s troubled early Premier League campaign takes them to Aston Villa this afternoon, where another high-profile farewell could be on the agenda. Exactly 23 months after Cristiano Ronaldo wore United colours for the final time at Villa Park, it could now be Erik ten Hag’s turn.

That all-too-familiar feeling is back in the air. It reared its ugly head during the final weeks of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign. Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal and David Moyes’ too.

It’s no coincidence after six wins in 20 Premier League games and one in 10 European outings. United’s only victories this season have come against Fulham, Southampton and Barnsley.

The Red Devils travel to the West Midlands 14th in the table with a -3 goal difference. That’s the result of back-to-back 3-0 home defeats to Liverpool and Tottenham.

There’s no momentum. An early 2-0 lead at Porto on Thursday turned into a 3-2 deficit before Harry Maguire’s late equaliser. Two points out of a possible six to start the Europa League campaign.

So, as mentioned, it’s no coincidence all eyes are on Ten Hag. A long-standing meeting between United’s hierarchy will take place in London on Tuesday, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Joel Glazer among those set to be present.

Another miserable day of things on the pitch would make it the perfect setting to decide on a change that some sections of the fanbase are now craving.

It would be somewhat ironic if Ten Hag and Ronaldo’s public spat – fuelled by the Dutchman prioritising his long-term project – ended at the hands of Unai Emery’s team twice.

On October 6, 2022, Ten Hag handed Ronaldo his fourth league start of the season in United’s 11th game. You can see why the five-time Ballon d’Or winner – and the club’s top goalscorer in 2021/22 – was unsettled.

But Ronaldo cut a dejected figure while he couldn’t do anything to prevent a 3-1 defeat. As he directed himself into the darkness of the tunnel, only he would’ve known it was his swan song.

Not long after, the interview emerged. A bombshell chat with Piers Morgan letting rip on Ten Hag and the Glazer family among other aspects of the club.

“I don’t have respect for him [Ten Hag] because he doesn’t show respect for me. If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never gonna have respect for you,” Ronaldo explained.

His release followed, and in the time since, between two unsuccessful international tournaments with Portugal, Ronaldo has placed a rocket onto his career goals tally in Saudi Arabia. He appears happy in his twilight years.

Happiness wouldn’t be the emotion to describe those in the Ten Hag camp ahead of United’s trip to Villa.

If it ends in defeat, the question to ponder is will the Dutchman know he’s saluted the travelling support for the final time like Ronaldo? Perhaps – as much as his public front says otherwise.

One man in the stadium who likely will know is Ratcliffe, notably expected to be in attendance for the second time this term.

Chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox will make the call.

But the three-man committee of Ratcliffe, Glazer and Sir Dave Brailsford will have the final word on whether the Villa Park turf will erect Erik ten Hag’s grave alongside Cristiano Ronaldo’s.