Erik ten Hag dropped Cristiano Ronaldo from the Manchester United squad after his antics during the Tottenham Hotspur match.
Both experts and supporters have backed the coach’s decision. “No player is bigger than the club” is the common sentiment.
Ronaldo is not without his supporters.
Rio Ferdinand believes there is no smoke without fire, questioning whether United manager Ten Hag had made his season plans clear for the Portuguese (via The Manchester Evening News).
For the most part, Ronaldo has found it difficult to get playing time and has been relegated to the sidelines as a substitute this season.
The highly decorated striker’s future is up in the air after refusing to take part in United’s 2-0 win against Spurs.
Ten Hag showed no leniency, leaving Ronaldo out of the team that drew with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The United manager also exiled Ronaldo to train alone at Carrington.
On Thursday, the Red Devils will face Sheriff Tiraspol at the Theater of Dreams. Today’s talks between the manager and the disgruntled player will determine whether Ronaldo has a role to play in the match.
More to the story than meets the eye
Ferdinand doubts that a clear understanding has been reached between Ten Hag and his former teammate.
Speaking on Vibe with Five, Ferdinand said: “In the summer, did the manager want it or not want it? Whatever the outcome, there has to be communication. Ten Hag said, ‘You’re not going to go, we’ll keep you, but you’re going to be a supporting actor.’ Was that conversation had? He wouldn’t have thought that would have happened at all.
“If you have that conversation, I don’t think we’ll have the reaction that we saw against Tottenham, when he left five minutes before the game was over. Listen, I want people to know, I don’t approve of that. I don’t agree with Cristiano leaving and leaving his teammates five minutes to play”.
However, if Ronaldo wants to play out the rest of his contract with United, he will have to have a slice of the humble pie.
The publication also revealed that Ten Hag was open to the idea of letting the Portuguese leave in the summer, but co-owner Joel Glazer was opposed to sanctioning his departure.
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