MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER Erik Ten Hag admitted today that Cristiano Ronaldo refused to enter the field of play during the game against Tottenham Hotspur.
United went onto to win 2-0 on Wednesday, but it was Ronaldo again that attracted the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
The Portuguese forward refused to come on and was seen heading down the Old Trafford tunnel before the final whistle.
Reports also appeared that Ronaldo left the whole stadium before his teammates and was picked up by a driver.
After the game, Manchester United released a statement that Ronaldo would not be part of the wider squad for the game against Chelsea on Saturday. He is also reported to have trained with the U23's today
Ten Hag was asked in his press conference today if the rumours of Ronaldo refusing to come on were true. The Dutchman backed up the rumour admitting it was correct.
"It's unacceptable, but he wasn't the only one."
Erik ten Hag gives the latest after enforcing disciplinary actions against Ronaldo's recent behaviour 🚫 pic.twitter.com/cbaDolePjJ— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 21, 2022
“Yes. What (happened in) the talk is between Cristiano and me. The (club) statement is also clear, I think.”
Asked if Ronaldo will play for the club again, Ten Hag said: “Yes, that’s also in the statement. He remains an important part of the squad.”
"How we did. I am the manager. I am responsible for the top sport culture here and I have to set standards and values and I have to control them.
“We are in a team, so we have standards, we have values and I have to control that.
“After Rayo Vallecano, I told (you) it was unacceptable, but he wasn’t the only one. That is for everyone.
“When it’s the second time, that will have consequences. That is what we did. We miss him tomorrow. That is a miss for us. For the squad it’s a miss.
“But I think it’s important for the attitude and mentality from the group. Now we have to focus on Chelsea and that is the most important.”
United play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow (5.30pm)
