Cristiano Ronaldo has been dropped for Manchester United’s trip to Chelsea on Saturday after he stormed off before the conclusion of Wednesday’s win over Tottenham.
Ronaldo was named among the substitutes against Spurs as United stormed to an impressive 2-0 victory over Antonio Conte’s side thanks to goals from Fred and Bruno Fernandes.
Erik ten Hag’s decision not to bring Ronaldo on prompted a public display of frustration as the 37-year-old walked down the Old Trafford touchline and up the tunnel before the full-time whistle.
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Speaking after the game, the United boss insisted he would “deal with” Ronaldo on Thursday, where it was confirmed he would not feature in Saturday’s trip to Stamford Bridge.
A club statement read: “Cristiano will not be part of the Manchester United squad for this Saturday’s game against Chelsea. The rest of the squad is fully focused on preparing for that fixture.”
Saturday 22nd October 5:00pm
Kick off 5:30pm
Man Utd reaching end of the road with Ronaldo?
Sky Sports football journalist Jack Wilkinson:
Cristiano Ronaldo has a habit of grabbing the headlines, but not even his sulking departure could detract from another encouraging stride in the right direction taken by Erik ten Hag’s players.
Ronaldo, an unused substitute, was unhappy with the watching brief he was handed as goals from Fred and Bruno Fernandes earned a deserved 2-0 victory over Tottenham, but when United perform to such a high level, his frustrations are baseless.
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From start to finish, United took a poor Spurs side to task, demonstrating their continued adaptation to Ten Hag’s methods with an attacking display as comprehensive as any seen at Old Trafford in memory, let alone since the Dutchman took charge.
United’s 28 attempts on goal was the most by any side in a Premier League match this season, the most Antonio Conte had ever conceded in his top-flight managerial career, and had it not been for the heroics of Hugo Lloris, the scoreline would have been just as emphatic.
With Ronaldo on the bench against Liverpool, Arsenal and now Spurs, games United have won with increasing proficiency, it’s clear the club’s transition to life without him is already under way. His petulance will only speed that up.
‘The only way is Ten Hag’s way’
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Dutch football expert Marcel van der Kraan on Sky Sports News:
“I don’t think it will be a calm conversation. We have seen in the past in Holland when he was dealing with stars in his squad that he would make sure who was in charge.
“He is also known as a manager who is very stable, he’s never been up or down in all his roles, his discipline, it’s always been the same. That’s also where his success comes from.
“It is the first time in his career that he’s dealing with the calibre of Cristiano Ronaldo. Never before has that kind of star acted against him. He said in the summer Ronaldo was one of his most important players. If he’s fit, he will always be there, he said.
“He missed pre-season and Ten Hag made it very clear that was vital. There’s only one way and it’s the Erik ten Hag way. This is what will happen in today’s conversation.
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“It was interesting that he said last night that he would deal with it tomorrow. In the past he has not been shy of confronting somebody. There is a famous incident, only two years ago, with Noa Lang, a Dutch international, who was giving him a mouthful on the pitch in a big cup game.
“Ten Hag came off the bench and made very clear that was not accepted by him, shouted to him on the touchline in front of every television camera so everybody could hear it and the public behind the dugout. ‘I decide what happens here and it’s not your game, it is a team’s game!’ That was all audible. It also showed it’s all about the team.
“I expect Ronaldo not to be part of the squad at United unless there is big financial motives for the club to keep him on if they have to give him too much money to go.”
It’s not the first time: Ronaldo’s previous early exits
Ronaldo has a history of walkouts since he returned to the club 14 months ago.
The 37-year-old was an unused substitute during United’s 2-0 win over Spurs on Wednesday and was seen walking down the touchline and up the tunnel in the closing stages of the match.
Earlier this season, Ronaldo was also seen leaving Old Trafford before the end of a 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano during the club’s final pre-season friendly in August.
Andros Townsend marked his equaliser at Old Trafford with Ronaldo’s trademark ‘siuuuu’ celebration
In October last year, Ronaldo was captured marching alone down the tunnel, seemingly muttering in frustration, after United were held to a 1-1 draw against Everton, for whom Andros Townsend scored and then mimicked the Portugal forward’s trademark goal celebration.