MANCHESTER UNITED legend Paul Scholes slammed Erik ten Hag as being “almost more disrespectful” for playing Cristiano Ronaldo in the Europa League over the Manchester derby.
The Red Devils manager said he did not bring CR7 on against Manchester City at the weekend out of “respect for his career”.
Ten Hag then named Ronaldo in the starting line up for the 3-2 Europa League win against Omonia Nicosia.
And Scholes, 47, reckoned playing Ronaldo against the Cypriot minnows did more to hurt his image than bringing him on at the Etihad would have done.
He said on BT Sport: “I think it is almost more disrespectful playing him on a Thursday night in the Europa League. “This man is a world superstar.
“I am not saying at 37 years of age he should be starting the games, the big games especially, but this is a competition that is hard to get yourself motivated for.
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“I don’t like saying that, but it’s true when you are a big player at a big club like this.
“He has to change his mentality now, and because he is so strong mentally, it will be to score two goals and get himself in the team for the weekend.”
Ronaldo has been largely resigned to Europa League duty this season.
The 37-year-old has started all three games in Europe this season, compared to just once in the Premier League.
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United initially went a goal down on the night to a team currently fourth in the Cypriot First Division.
A Tyrell Malacia error saw the Omonia counter and finish off a swift counter-attack.
Ten Hag responded by throwing on Marcus Rashford at the break, who levelled the scored just eight minutes after coming on.
The Dutchman then sent on Anthony Martial, and it took even less time for the forward to make his mark.
He put the Red Devils 2-1 up just two minutes after stepping onto the pitch.
Ronaldo meanwhile was guilty of missing an open goal to make it 3-1, seeing his close-range effort rebound off the post.
He then looked certain to score but Rashford fluffed an easy chance to set up Ronaldo for a tap in.
It meant his wait for a 700th club career goal goes on.
Omonia pulled one back but United held on to win.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
