Kevin Pietersen labels Erik ten Hag ‘A CLOWN’ after his treatment of ‘BOSS’ Cristiano Ronaldo

England cricket legend Kevin Pietersen has had his say on the ongoing situation at Manchester United, with tension building between manager Erik ten Hag and wantaway star Cristiano Ronaldo.

The England cricket legend has branded the Dutch manager a ‘clown’ for his treatment of the Portuguese legend, who has seen far less on-pitch action this season than many might have predicted. 

To make matters worse, the 37-year-old was seen leaving the dugout early in his side’s 2-0 win over Tottenham at Old Trafford on Wednesday, which has duly sparked outrage from fans and pundits alike. 

Kevin Pietersen has called Erik ten Hag ‘a clown’ for ‘disrespecting’ star Cristiano Ronaldo, 37

With the Twenty20 World Cup set to get underway on Saturday in Australia, United tweeted a photo of the former batter with the text: ‘It’s T20 World Cup szn. 

‘We’ve welcomed cricketing legends, played at iconic venues and met up with plenty of heroes over the years!’

But the South African-born former England captain sent out a scathing response, writing: ‘Please take my picture down? 

‘I don’t want an association with a club that’s managed by a clown who is completely disrespecting the greatest footballer of our time.

‘@cristiano is the BOSS! That clown who no one will ever remember needs a wake up!’

Ten Hag has punished Ronaldo’s actions by axing the star from his squad for Saturday’s game at Chelsea, as revealed by Sportsmail on Thursday. 

Ronaldo refused to come off the bench against Tottenham

And Wednesday’s meeting with Spurs was not the Portuguese legend’s first early exit since Ten Hag took the helm. 

He was also seen making an early departure in a pre-season friendly against Spainsh outfit Rayo Vallecano.  

Speaking ahead of the Stamford Bridge clash, Ten Hag said: ‘I am the manager, I am responsible for top spot culture here and I have to set standards and values and I have to control them,’ he said. 

‘In the team, we have values and standards and I have to control that. After [Rayo] Vallecano, I told him it was unacceptable but not him everyone, this is the second time, there are consequences.

‘We miss him tomorrow, it’s a miss for the squad but it’s important for the attitude and mentality of the group and now we have to focus on Chelsea as that is important.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been dropped from the United squad for this weekend’s trip to Chelsea 

The Portuguese star, who top scored for United last season, had requested to be transferred to another club over summer though no offers were forthcoming 

And the latest scandal has naturally attracted the opinions of many high-profile individuals besides the former cricketer.

Taking to Twitter, presenter Piers Morgan has said: ‘I think the collective disrespect towards Cristiano from his manager and many Utd fans after all he’s done for your club, not least last season, is shameful. There’s my opinion.’

Piers Morgan has leapt to the defence of friend and Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo