Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag, says he will “deal with” Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese star left Old Trafford before full-time in the club’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham on Wednesday night.
Unused substitute Ronaldo was seen walking down the touchline and up the tunnel in the closing stages of Wednesday’s match at Old Trafford.
The 37-year-old forward watched from the stands as goals from Fred and Bruno Fernandes saw United overcome Spurs to move within a point of the Premier League’s top four.
Asked whether Ronaldo had spoken to him before walking down the tunnel before the completion of the match, Ten Hag said: “He was there, I have seen him, but I didn’t speak with him.”
In his post-match press conference, the United boss added: “I don’t pay attention to that, I will deal with that tomorrow. I want to keep the focus on the team.
“It was magnificent from all 11 players. I have to correct myself. It was also a performance from the substitutes who came on. Once again, it was a squad performance. I think what we have seen is 11 players who defend and 11 who attack. I was pleased.”
Reacting to the development, a former England and Premier League defender, Danny Mills, said Ronaldo’s behaviour was reprehensible.
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“If Ronaldo has done that, it’s an absolute disgrace. That’s disrespectful to the team, the manager, the fans.
“They are winning 2-0, what complaint can he have? If they were losing 2-0, it wouldn’t be right, but I would sort of understand it.
“He clearly thinks he’s bigger than the football club… It’s a selfish act after not being involved.
“He knows full well that everybody is going to see him walk all the way down the touchline at Old Trafford, it’s not like he can sneak out.
“I feel sorry for United and Ten Hag because it’s all going to be about Ronaldo instead of an outstanding performance against a top side,” Mills said.
On his part, a former United player, Roy Keane, said: “I think United are showing disrespect to Ronaldo. He should have been let go before the transfer window.
“The manager kept him. Okay, he said he wanted options. But you don’t keep Ronaldo to sit on the bench. He is one of the greatest players ever.
“He had options [to move in the summer]. This idea he didn’t have options is rubbish. He had four or five good options.
“The big picture is that Ten Hag is not going to play Ronaldo. It is just going to get uglier as the season goes on.
“United have shown nothing but disrespect to Ronaldo,” he state.
Ronaldo has a history of walkouts since he returned to the club 14 months ago.
Earlier this season, he was 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.
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.
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