Cristiano Ronaldo has been axed from Manchester United’s first team for their Premier League encounter with Chelsea on Saturday at Stamford Bridge.
The Portuguese international was on the bench for Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Tottenham on Wednesday as Erik Ten Hag opted for more pace and energy in Marcus Rashford, Jaden Sancho, and Antony as his front three.
Ronaldo was seen storming into the tunnel, entering the Manchester United dressing room before his teammate arrived. The 37-year-old was reported to have left the Stadium before the others.
A club statement from Manchester United on Thursday confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo would not be part of the Manchester United squad for their trip to Stamford Bridge.
Erik Ten Hag confirmed at a press conference on Friday that Cristiano Ronaldo refused to come on as a substitute before leaving Old Trafford.
Chelsea manager Graham Potter failed to comment as he does not have a full preview of what happened.
What did Graham Potter say about Erik Ten Hag’s handling of the Cristiano Ronaldo incident?
Asked about Erik Ten Hag’s handling of the Cristiano Ronaldo incident, Potter said: “I can’t really comment because I don’t know the ins and outs, but he has taken his stance, sometimes you have to do that, and then you need the club to support. From the outside, that is what has happened.”
Quizzed if he would have done differently if it was his players: Graham Potter added: “It’s difficult for me to comment because I don’t know the actual context and I don’t know what’s really happened. I don’t want to go off headlines and things like that.
“Part of the job is to take decisions that are difficult but that is normal.”
Meanwhile, Erik Ten Hag has revealed his decision to drop Cristiano Ronaldo.
Erik Ten Hag said at a press conference: “What the talk – if you ask about that – is between Cristiano and me, the statement is also clear, I think. He remains an important player in the squad.
“I am the manager, I am responsible for the culture here and I have to set standards and values and I have to control them. In the team, we have values and standards and I have to control that.
“After Vallecano [when Ronaldo left early during a friendly] I told him it was unacceptable but not just 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.”
Without the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, Erik Ten Hag might keep the same starting Lineup in their win against Tottenham on Wednesday.
Thiago Silva, Raheem Sterling, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Premier League will start against Manchester United after being rested for Chelsea’s goalless draw with Brentford.
