Man United players said to be “happy” over Cristiano Ronaldo’s situation
Man United players said to be “happy” over Cristiano Ronaldo’s situation at the club that he isn’t playing.
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to return to Carrington for talks with Erik ten Hag today, but the Dutchman’s handling of the club’s star player over the last few days has been well received in the Manchester United dressing room.
Ronaldo was not included in the Man Utd lineup to play Chelsea on Saturday because he resisted using the replacement bench against Tottenham.
After Ronaldo declined to enter the game as a late substitution against Tottenham and walking down the tunnel early on Wednesday, Ten Hang took serious action by keeping him out of the team to play Chelsea at the weekend.
Last Thursday morning, Ronaldo was summoned to Carrington to meet with Ten Hag, who informed the forward that as retribution for his transgression, he would not be selected for the squad during the upcoming weekend.
Additionally, he was told to train separately from the rest of the first-team group, who were getting ready to travel to Stamford Bridge.
The issue presented a challenge to Ten Hag, who is still in the infancy of his tenure at Old Trafford, but he took firm action against Ronaldo and was backed entirely by the club after making his decision.
Sources close to the dressing room have said Man United players were impressed by the delicate but authoritative way he handled the situation, leaving the door open for Ronaldo to return and insisting he remained a key part of the squad.
Ronaldo’s standing in the game made it a tricky issue for Ten Hag to navigate, but he made a swift decision on how to discipline the player, who has since been contrite on Instagram and has explained his actions.
There was an acceptance within the dressing room that Ronaldo would have to be punished for his actions, but his absence wasn’t felt on Wednesday night and didn’t overshadow the draw with Chelsea.
United’s players were euphoric in the home dressing room at Old Trafford on Wednesday, believing it was the best performance they’d put together in a long time. They secured a point they deserved at Stamford Bridge with Casemiro’s injury-time equaliser and on the pitch it has been a good week for Ten Hag.
His approach has earned him plenty of respect within the squad and players are enjoying working under him, with some benefitting from his detailed instructions and clear demands.
The first team have had two days off since the game at Chelsea, so Ronaldo is due back at Carrington today (Tuesday) and is set for more face-to-face talks with Ten Hag.
The United manager wants to find a truce with the forward and reintegrate him into the squad, but he has stressed he will speak to Ronaldo again before that happens.
If the two find common ground then Ronaldo will return to first-team training and could be in the squad to take on FC Sheriff in the Europa League at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Also read,
Greenwood arrested again for breaching bail conditions, United responds
Antony tipped to ‘get fed up’ with Erik ten Hag after recent
Follow us
