Cristiano Ronaldo has been omitted from Manchester United’s trip to Chelsea as punishment for not coming on as a late substitute as well as leaving the game early against Tottenham on Wednesday.
Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo declined to come on as a late substitute against Tottenham before leaving the game early on Wednesday.
Ten Hag confirmed reports that Ronaldo refused to play in his pre-match media briefing, saying: “What happened in the conversation is between Cristiano and me. The (club) statement is also unambiguous.
“I am the manager, and I am liable for the top sports culture here. I must set values and standards as well as control them. We work as a group.
“I said it was inappropriate after Rayo Vallecano, but he’s not the only one. That applies to everyone when it occurs for the second time. That is exactly what we did. We’ll miss him tomorrow; it’s a loss for the squad, but I believe it’s important for the group’s attitude and mentality.”
Ten Hag stated that Ronaldo “remains a crucial part of the squad,” despite the fact that the striker will practice on his own on Friday. “I believe it will be a reflection for him as well as for everyone else,” Ten Hag said of Ronaldo’s punishment.
“I sent out a warning at the start of the season, and the subsequent time there will be repercussions. When you live together and play together, football is a team sport, and you must meet certain benchmarks, which I must enforce.”
Man United defeated top-four rivals Tottenham on Wednesday, however the Ronaldo altercation threatened to underscore their preparatory work for the trip to Chelsea.
Ten Hag insists that their sole focus has been on their journey to Stamford Bridge. “It’s about Chelsea, we have such a big game to play, all my emphasis is on that game, all the staff’s priority is on that game, all the players’ priority is on that game,” he said.
We must win that game by doing everything we can, so we must be completely focused in order to prepare for it and perform at our best. “Once you play in top football, there are rumors as well as noise, but you have to focus on your job, which is to perform tomorrow.”
“As I’ve invariably done all through my career, I strive to live and play courteously towards my teammates, opponents, and coaches,” Ronaldo said in a statement on Thursday.
It is still the case. I’ve not changed. “I’m the same individual and professional I’ve been for the last 20 years of playing elite football, & respect has always been an important factor in my decision-making process.”
“I started when I was very young, and the examples of the older and more experienced players were always extremely important to me.” As a result, in the years since, I’ve always tried to set a good example for the young people who have grown up in all of the teams that I’ve served.
“Regrettably, that is not always doable, and sometimes our emotions get the best of us. “I just feel like I need to continue working hard in Carrington, encourage my teammates, and be prepared for anything in any given game right now.
It is not an option to give in to the pressure. It was never the case. “This is Manchester United, and we must stand together. We’ll be back together soon.”
