After a short statement put out by Manchester United on Thursday reading ‘Cristiano Ronaldo will not be part of the squad for this Saturday’s Premier League game against Chelsea,’ boss Erik ten Hag confirmed in his press conference on Friday that Ronaldo had refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the week.
Ronaldo walked straight down the tunnel in the 89th minute win against Spurs, with The Athletic also reporting that the striker had left Old Trafford before the full-time whistle had been blown.
Though it is unclear whether we will see Ronaldo pull on the United strip again, on Friday, Ten Hag confirmed ‘he remains an important part of the squad’.
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Having also ruled Anthony Martial out for the trip to Stamford Bridge through injury, United are expected to go with the same front three that started against Conte’s side.
“We miss him tomorrow”, said Ten Hag. “It’s a miss, but it’s important for the attitude and mentality for the group and now we have to focus on Chelsea, that is important.”
On his return from pre-season, Ronaldo was pictured to have left Old Trafford early in the final friendly against Rayo Vallecano, which is part of the reason why Ten Hag has come down so heavily on the Portugal international this time.
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Ten Hag said: “I am the manager. I am responsible for the culture. I have to set the standards and values.
“After Rayo Vallecano, I said (leaving early) was unacceptable. The second time there has to be consequences. Football is a team sport. You have to set certain standards, and I have to control it.”
With players often ruling the dressing room in previous years at the club, it seems as though the player power era is over.
Ten Hag said: “We will have a reflection but it’s also for everyone else, I set a warning at the start of the season.
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“I understand there are questions [about Ronaldo], but at the same time, the focus is on Chelsea, we have a big game to play, we have to win that game and we have to do everything we can.”
“That’s part of top football, there’s rumours and noise but you have to focus on the job and perform tomorrow.”
Topics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Cristiano Ronaldo
Aadam Haladh