CRISTIANO RONALDO has arrived at Manchester United training for showdown talks after storming down the tunnel during his side’s win over Tottenham.
The Portuguese superstar, 37, left Old Trafford before the final whistle as he was left furious at being an unused substitute.
Ronaldo did still show up to training on Thursday, with Erik ten Hag expected to deal with the superstar this afternoon.
When asked about the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s antics after the game, the Man Utd manager said: “We will deal with that on Thursday. I saw him leaving but I didn’t speak to him after.
“I don’t pay attention to that, we want to focus on this team, it was a magnificent performance from all 11 players.
“Tonight we celebrate the result and the rest we deal with on Thursday.”
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Ronaldo missed the dressing room celebrations with the rest of his team-mates on Wednesday night due to his premature exit from the stadium.
He went down the tunnel when Ten Hag still had two of his five permitted substitutions available.
Ronaldo has started just two of United’s 12 Premier League games so far this season, with Ten Hag preferring to go with Marcus Rashford up front.
And of the 12 appearances he has made in all competitions, he has hit the back of the net just twice.
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His antics in the final minutes of the Spurs clash are nothing new for Ten Hag to deal with when it comes to the former Real Madrid man.
Ronaldo was slammed for his reaction to being subbed early in Sunday’s goalless draw against Newcastle — and also threw a strop at Brentford in August.
After a pre-season clash with Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford, he even headed home early after being replaced at half-time.
The Red Devils boss was was also asked whether Ronaldo, 37, had permission to head to the dressing room early.
To which the Dutchman replied: “In answer to your question, we deal with that on Thursday and what we have seen tonight was 11 players who defend, 11 players who attack. There was a lot of dynamic in the attack as well.
“I have to mention, I said 11 players, I have to correct myself, it was a performance also from the subs who came on who had a good role.”
PUNDITS PILE IN
Ronaldo was widely criticised by pundits for his reaction to not getting on against Tottenham.
Ex-England defender Danny Mills said: “If he has done that, it’s an absolute disgrace.
“I think that’s disrespectful to the team, to the manager, to the fans.
“They’re winning 2-0. What complaint can he have? If they were losing 2-0, it still wouldn’t be right but I would sort of understand it.
“He clearly thinks he’s bigger than the club.”
And Gabriel Agbonlahor added: “He’s a spoilt brat. To walk down the tunnel like that is a disgrace. You can’t do that. It is so disrespectful to your team-mates.
“If I am in the changing room with Ronaldo, I want my manager to make a statement. I would leave Ronaldo out of the Chelsea game.”
But Ronaldo’s former team-mate Rio Ferdinand insists the current situation is unfair for all involved.
He said: “My only thought could be that Cristiano is being saved for the weekend against Chelsea. That’s the only way I see it, logically.
“He didn’t play today and I think Ronaldo will be absolutely fuming with that naturally and I wouldn’t expect anything different from him.
“I think the big problem Erik ten Hag’s got is that, coming up to this next window, I think he’s got to think very carefully about what he does.
“If he doesn’t see Cristiano Ronaldo as a starter in his team more often than not, I think he has to release him from the contract, has to let him go.
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“It’s not fair on anybody – the club, Cristiano, Erik ten Hag or the players – that after every game he doesn’t start is ‘why didn’t didn’t Cristiano Ronaldo start?’ and that’s the story.
“Man Utd have won 2-0 today and one of the leading stories will probably be about Ronaldo tomorrow and that can’t be right.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
