'Ronaldo is being disrespected' - Man Utd fans defend superstar for training no-show
Robin Bairner
- 7 Jul 2022 12:36 BST
- 7 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo has yet to take part in pre-season training with Manchester United, leading to claims that his actions are unprofessional.
Ronaldo was expected back for pre-season along with the club’s other internationals on Monday ahead of the team taking off for their tour of Thailand and Australia this weekend.
He has been excused officially because of family reasons, but there is clear doubt among some sections of the Manchester United support that these claims are legitimate.
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This has forced Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo’s former Man Utd team-mate and now a respected TV pundit, to come out and defend the club’s leading scorer from the 2021/22 season.
“I've been seeing people being a touch disrespectful. The way that people are questioning: ‘He's not here,’ and the hysteria surrounding it. A member of his family is not well, so he's not at training,” he told his FIVE YouTube channel.
“This is the most consummate, most professional athlete that we've seen on these shores. The most professional athlete we've seen for over 15 years and people are questioning this guy's professionalism and why he's not at the training ground.
“Yeah, he might want to leave, he might not be happy with certain things at the football club, but in terms of professionalism, this guy is training where he is - we've seen the pictures.
"His family are there; he needs to be where they are and you have to respect that. Simple as. Could it have been communicated better by the club? Probably.”
Is Ronaldo being unprofessional?
It is a subject that has split Manchester United fans on social media, with the majority backing the striker and lamenting the manner in which the club has been run.
However, the feeling appears marginally in favour of the player.
Ronaldo is known as of the most professional footballers of all time. Let's not make up lies to defend Maguire.
— Theo™ (@TheoUTD01) July 6, 2022
Going to be unpopular, but by default I can’t side with a player who can’t be bothered to show up for training. Don’t care what their name is.
— UnitedMuppetiers (@Muppetiers) July 6, 2022
"Ronaldo doesn't love the club because he's leaving"
If you want him to stay at a club that finished 6th in the Premier League at 37 years of age, it is YOU who doesn't love a club legend. pic.twitter.com/EGOj9xqO2z— ok (@cristixnoera) July 7, 2022
This was Cristiano Ronaldo just 5 days after losing his son and dedicating his goal to him and casuals out here questioning his professionalism! pic.twitter.com/8eYLbvupVM
— Sahini👸 (@sahini_bose) July 5, 2022
Seeing a lot of Twitter nerds questioning RONALDO’s professionalism, I laughed to be honest.
— Ok paI ™ 🇬🇳 (@okpalV47) July 6, 2022
He's been really badly advised here. Personally I thought he owed Fergie more respect than that if not the club. In any successful relationship you accept each other's imperfections otherwise it's not genuine.
— Pilib De Brún (Phil Brown) (@Malachians) July 5, 2022
Before someone talks about Ronaldo and lack of professionalism right now, I understand that.
I’d have liked to have known his desire to leave before, whether it’s because of lack of ambition from us in transfer market, I don’t know.
Not happy with the situation at all.— Charlie (@ThreadmanChaza) July 7, 2022
Man just ignored the ultra professionalism Ronaldo is showing by asking to leave now when its 2nd week of preseason when he was previously saying he’ll stay and leaving us in a difficult place in the market. He’s now getting pissed by a like by Maguire? Pogba avi? https://t.co/S2SaMqAOqN
— Ishan (@ishan_MUFC) July 7, 2022
Man just ignored the ultra professionalism Ronaldo is showing by asking to leave now when its 2nd week of preseason when he was previously saying he’ll stay and leaving us in a difficult place in the market. He’s now getting pissed by a like by Maguire? Pogba avi? https://t.co/S2SaMqAOqN
— Ishan (@ishan_MUFC) July 7, 2022
It would benefit the club massively if they could ship out both Ronaldo & Maguire.
So bored of this soap opera surrounding the two of them. Such an unwanted side distraction.
Ten Hag doesn’t need this #MUFC— Haider Rubbani 🇵🇸🇾🇪🎙⚽️ (@Haider_Rubbani) July 7, 2022
Chelsea and Barcelona are among the favourites to sign Ronaldo if he leaves Man Utd this summer.
