Cristiano Ronaldo’s controversial conduct in Manchester United’s win over Tottenham has evidently cost him dearly. United put on a scintillating display against Spurs which steered them to a 2-0 victory, as Ronaldo watched from the bench. After starting the last game against Newcastle United, the 37-year-old was full of optimism that he will be named in the line-up for the huge Spurs game. However, much to his disappointment , Erik ten Hag once again demoted him to bench and didn’t even bring the forward on in the closing stages as he has frequently done.
Enraged by the Ten Hag’s decision, Ronaldo stormed down the tunnel before the full-time whistle went in, as he wasn’t present in the dressing room as well where his teammates celebrated the win and the gaffer gave his post-match talk. With no minutes against Spurs, the Portugal international’s participation in the upcoming Chelsea game was in doubts as United have now confirmed that he will not be travelling with the squad to Stamford Bridge. Ronaldo too issued a statement hours after the snub from Chelsea showdown was served to him.
I haven’t changed – Cristiano Ronaldo explains his actions in a statement
Cristiano Ronaldo has endured a nightmare start to this new season, after first the club blocked his transfer away this summer and then the failure to even fetch himself a new suitor. The five-time Champions League winner was desperate to quit Old Trafford since the Red Devils missed out on the elite European competition. However, his every attempt failed as he had to adjust himself to the Europa League for the first time ever in his career.
Furthermore, the new boss Erik ten Hag opted for a younger line-up for his high-pressing football resulting in -the 37-year-old being benched for six of the Premier League outings he was available for. The Dutchman has handed Ronaldo regular starts in the Europa League only, where too the Portuguese has managed to score only once in four games. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been benched for United’s crucial games against Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City this season and Spurs was another instance.
He took out his frustration however during the win over Spurs by walking out even before the game ended. Cristiano has now faced the wrath as United released a statement wherein they revealed the attacker won’t be selected in the squad against Chelsea. The statement from the club read:
“Cristiano Ronaldo will not be part of the Manchester United squad for this Saturday’s Premier League game against Chelsea. The rest of the squad is fully focused on preparing for that fixture”
Hours after United gave Ronaldo this shocker, the forward however came out with a humble response where he explained his actions, and rather pinned the blame on ‘heat of the moment’ for the same. He wrote on his social media handles:
“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.”
While the statements were released by both the club as well as the player, it is now being speculated whether the tunnel incident was Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘last act’ act Old Trafford. Fresh reports from Carrington tell the Red Devils have green light their top-scorer from last season to pursue a move out in January and are even open to exploring the option of terminating his contract. Either ways, it is now definite that Ronaldo’s second stint at United is not going to have a fairytale ending.