A Cristiano Ronaldo-less Manchester United went rampant against Tottenham Hotspur as goals from Fred and Bruno Fernandes helped the Red Devils to a 2-0. Ronaldo had bagged a scintillating hat-trick in this fixture last season, but was benched this by Erik ten Hag despite the unavailability of Anthony Martial. The Dutchman rather went with Marcus Rashford as his main man upfront. However, it was still the Portugal captain who grabbed all the rather unwanted headlines.
The United forward showed his frustration for being dropped to the bench and remain an unused substitute by walking off the tunnel before referee blew the full-time whistle as his side put on a brilliant display to win all three points and a clean-sheet. But Ronaldo’s antics were most talked about than United’s all-round performance as the Red Devils’ fans were left fuming with the 37-year-old’s ‘disrespectful’, some even calling for the club to get rid of him.
I will deal with that – Ten Hag on Cristiano Ronaldo leaving before the full-time whistle
While Cristiano Ronaldo alone carried a dismal Manchester United last season with 18 goals in the Premier League, the case hasn’t been the same this season. The five-time Ballon d’Or has had to settle on the bench for majority of the season so far, with just 2 starts in 8 league outings and only a goal to his name. Moreover, the club blocked his efforts to move out in the summer over lack of Champions League football further added to his discontent. And with no minutes against Spurs, Ronaldo expressed his displeasure by storming down the tunnel even before the game ended. The thing didn’t go down well with the fans as here are some best reactions from them towards Ronaldo’s tantrums.
As a Man United fan, I am tired of Ronaldo's behavior.
It's embarrassing and an utter disrespect to the club!@ManUtd please terminate his contract immediately!— Lawal? (@tndlawal) October 19, 2022
Terminate Ronaldo’s contract. Walking down the tunnel before the game is over. Embarrassing.
If he played today we scrape a draw at best.
— Cam ? (@StatManCam) October 19, 2022
Petulant child lol. The way Ronaldo always makes it about himself is comical at best. United finding form and he didn’t fit the match plan. Support your club mates in what was a brilliant display from MUFC on the night. They need shot of him immediately. #MUNTOT
— Andrew Thompson (@mixedkidremix) October 19, 2022
Ronaldo keeps behaving like a petulant child at 37 years
— Ikechukwu Stan (@Stanford_CFC) October 19, 2022
Ronaldo’s attitude when things are not going his way is terrible.
You’re 37 ffs! The world can’t continue to revolve around you.
— Man of Letters. (@Letter_to_Jack) October 19, 2022
Ronaldo down the tunnel early crying like a petulant child at the age of 38.
— Jᴀᴄᴋʏ Hᴇɴᴄʜᴍᴀɴ♦️ (@JackyHenchman) October 19, 2022
Just mutually terminate Ronaldo’s contract. Enough is enough
— Chim (@CoachChim) October 19, 2022
Ronaldo walking down the tunnel. Really doesn't need to do this. A good performance from the team that should have given us confidence to build from now ends up becoming about him with everyone on edge. This would not be tolerated from anyone else. It's selfish to put it kindly.
— A D ?? (@UtdDefence) October 19, 2022
Ronaldo storming off down the tunnel at 89 minutes, in one of our best performances and wins of the season is just embarrassing, I’m sorry.
Be happy for the team, watch until the end and clap the fans. I love him, but that’s just childish.
— Will. (@Willftbl) October 19, 2022
Get Ronaldo out of this club immediately man, walking down the tunnel because he hasn’t played.
Apparently he’s a top professional yeah???
— Lewis???????☔️ (@LewisUtd__) October 19, 2022
Meanwhile, the Cristiano Ronaldo incident didn’t please Ten Hag as well who rather talked about the win than the forward in his post match presser. On being asked about the same, the United boss told Amazon Prime Video Sport:
“I was there, I did see him ]Cristiano Ronaldo] but I haven’t spoken to him. I will deal with that tomorrow, we are celebrating this victory and now we have to recover from this on Saturday against Chelsea, another big game and that’s what makes the Premier League so exciting.”
The behaviour from Ronaldo has now raised the question whether or not Ten Hag will involve him in the next game when they travel to Chelsea to take on the Blues. And with the January transfer market fast approaching, the forward could well once again try and escape Old Trafford.