Cristiano Ronaldo has reacted to the first-team training ban placed on him by the Erik Ten Hag-led Manchester United after the bust-up at Old Trafford, which saw him leave the stadium during Tottenham match.
It is not the best of times for Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo after the series of events that has nearly soiled his career at the club.
Since the beginning of the 2022/23 football season, Cristiano Ronaldo has made headlines as he struggles to find his balance under Erik Ten Hag.
Before the season started, the Portuguese star made his intentions to leave the Old Trafford club known despite still having a year remaining in his Man United contract.
The club management kept hold of the highly-rated forward, while Erik Ten Hag refused to release him from contract.
The new manager made clear his intentions to work with the Portuguese star, given his intimidating profile and records in his career.
Months later into the 2022/23 football season, the five times Ballon d’Or winner has witnessed an unprecedented dip in his career.
After 13 matches, Ronaldo has just started five games – two Premier League matches and all three Europa League matches.
He has struggled to get into Ten Hag’s first team after the latter gave a nod to the likes of Marcus Rashford and injured Antony Martial instead of him.
Ronaldo has been reduced to cameo appearances off the Man United bench.
After starting Man United’s second Premier League game against Brentford at the Gtech Community stadium, the former Real Madrid and Juventus star made his second Premier League appearance in a barren draw against Newcastle at Old Trafford.
He was, however, substituted in the 70th minute and was obviously unhappy when his number was up for substitution.
In all, Ronaldo has cut a frustrated figure in the Man United bench this season and is clearly unhappy about his condition at the club.
The Times reported the 37-year-old’s fury over lack of game time and dismay with Erik Ten Hag’s belligerent tactics after the 6-3 loss to Manchester City in the 188th Manchester Derby at Etihad.
Ronaldo’s face-off with Erik Ten Hag came to the spotlight again in Manchester United’s clash with Tottenham at Old Trafford.
Reports have revealed that Ronaldo refused to come on in the game in the 88th minute and instead stormed off the pitch, heading down the exit tunnel.
The Portuguese star left the stadium before the match ended. Reports emerged that he was not spotted in the dressing room to celebrate the 2-0 win over Tottenham with his teammates.
When asked about the incident, Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag said he will ”deal with” Ronaldo the next day.
Ronaldo was spotted in Carrington training ground after the incident.
Reports have confirmed that Erik Ten Hag dealt with the Portuguese star as he said.
A club statement released by Manchester United after the Carrington meeting revealed that Ronaldo will not be named in Manchester United’s squad for the weekend Chelsea game.
“Cristiano will not be in the squad for this Saturday’s match against Chelsea. Rest of the squad is focused on that fixture”, the statement read.
He has also been banned from first-team training and will be training alone henceforth for three days.
Cristiano Ronaldo reacts
Ronaldo took to his social media handle to react to the Old Trafford bust-up and punishments meted out by the club after his fury during the club’s last game.
In a lengthy and emotion-gladdened statement, Ronaldo admitted being overwhelmed by anger, and his desire to return to the team soon.
Ronaldo wrote on October 20, “As I’ve always done throughout my career, I try to live and play respectfully towards my colleagues, my adversaries and my coaches. That hasn’t changed. I haven’t changed. I’m the same person and the same professional that I’ve been for the last 20 years playing elite football, and respect has always played a very important role in my decision making process.
“I started very young, the older and most experienced players examples were always very important to me. Therefore, later on, I’ve always tried to set the example myself for the youngsters that grew in all the teams that I’ve represented. Unfortunately that’s not always possible and sometimes the heat of the moment get’s the best of us.
“Right now, I just feel that I have to keep working hard in Carrington, support my teammates and be ready for everything in any given game. Giving in to the pressure is not an option. It never was. This is Manchester United, and united we must stand. Soon we’ll be together again.”
Manchester United takes on Chelsea in one of the most anticipated Premier League games of the season this weekend. The match is scheduled to kick off at 17:30 on Saturday, October 22.
Ronaldo’s Man United struggles continue as he serves the ban and will not be seen on the bench for the first time this season.
