ERIK TEN HAG has admitted that Cristiano Ronaldo was ‘pissed off’ at not starting in Sunday’s derby but still insists he is happy at Manchester United.
Ronaldo was left on the bench during the 6-3 mauling at the hands of Champions Manchester City on Sunday.
Ten Hag said afterwards that he did not bring him into the fray in the second-half out of respect for him.
But ahead of tomorrow’s Europa League match away to Omonia Nicosia the boss admits his star man wants to be out on that pitch.
Ten Hag said: “He’s not happy that he wasn’t playing Sunday, don’t get me wrong. Of course, he wants to play and he’s pissed off when he’s not playing. Clear.
“When you’re here and you’re happy, or satisfied, to be on the bench, this is not a club where you have to be, especially Cristiano. He’s really competitive, as we all know. He’s not happy when he’s not playing.”
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Ronaldo has only started the two Europa League games game since the 4-0 humiliation away to Brentford back in August.
The last one was in the Red Devils game away to FC Sheriff when he scored from the spot in a 2-0 win, still his only goal this season.
But he is expected to start in Cyprus and Ten Hag says he is showing in training that he is ready to go.
Ronaldo certainly looked happy at Carrington on the eve of the game not least when he celebrated nutmegging Lisandro Martinez.
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He said: “He’s training well, he has a good mood, he’s motivated and he gives his best, that is what we expect.”
Ten Hag defended his decision not to bring Ronaldo on in the second half opting to give Anthony Martial some time instead after returning from injury.
Martial responded with two goals while Ronaldo looked unhappy on the bench but Ten Hag says everyone knows why he took that decision, as he refused to expose the United legend to a lost cause.
He said: “I think you know why that is, when you’re honest, you know there is a difference.
“I will treat everyone with respect but they all have different backgrounds, with the character they’re different, I have to treat players different to get the best out of them, but there are general standards and values that count for everyone.”
He has also defended his decision not to start £70million new buy Casemiro yet, explaining that the form of Scott McTominay is what has been keeping him out.
Ten Hag said: “It had nothing to do with Casemiro, and all to do with Scott.
“We have won five and in five games Scott played.
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“For me it’s logical, it’s competition in the team. For me is was not a choice. He improved really well, he developed really well. Nothing to do with Casemiro.
“I’m sure Casa will play a really important role, we know all his background, all the titles he won, you see every day in training he can contribute in the team and he will be a really important player in this team, I am convinced this will happen.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
