Ten Hag doubles down on Ronaldo ‘respect’ claims
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 5 Oct 2022 06:09 CDT
- 3 min read
Manchester United Erik ten Hag has doubled down on his decision not to introduce Cristiano Ronaldo into Sunday’s Manchester derby out of respect for the player.
The Red Devils suffered a painful 6-3 loss to their rivals in that encounter, which only served to highlight how far back from the leading teams they have fallen.
Ronaldo was Man Utd’s star contributor last season but continues to struggle to find game time under the management of Ten Hag. Indeed, he did not even make it onto the pitch for Sunday’s clash.
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Ten Hag later suggested he did this out of respect for the career of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, yet it simply set in motion a fresh round of rumours that Ronaldo is ready to leave the club in January if a suitable option can be found.
"I didn't bring him on out of respect for his big career," the Dutchman said at his post-match press conference of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
"And the other thing, there was then the advantage I could bring Antony Martial on. He needs the minutes but I don't want to point it out like that."
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash against Ominia Nicosia in Cyrpus, Ten Hag was again asked about his decision on Ronaldo.
“I can't see that relation that he is not coming on when we are 4-0 down, 5-1 down 6-1 down. It was out of respect, nothing to do with the future or January,” the manager said. “I don't see he is unhappy. He is happy, training well, everyone is.”
Ten Hag’s initial comments drew widespread criticism, notably from Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane, who claimed that by leaving Ronaldo on the bench, the Dutchman was doing precisiely the opposite of what he had claimed.
“The manager held on to him. Ok, he said he wanted options. But you don't hold on to 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,” Keane claimed.
“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.”
Ten Hag’s latest comments are likely to draw a similarly frustrated reaction.
Ronaldo has started Manchester United’s two previous Europa League matches this season and is primed to feature prominently against Omonia as he seeks to add to the one goal he has scored so far this season.
