EMMANUEL PETIT has accused Cristiano Ronaldo of “polluting” the Manchester United dressing room with his ego.
Amid the ongoing rift between Ronaldo and United, Arsenal legend Petit has come out in support of Erik ten Hag after he banished Ronaldo to the reserves for his mutiny.
Speaking on the Rothen S’enflamme show in France, Petit slammed Ronaldo’s behaviour and claimed the Portuguese star was no longer the same player.
He said: “He tires everyone: the supporters, his teammates… They don’t want him any more in the locker room, he pollutes everyone so much.
“He has an exceptional career, when he stops we will all be unanimous in saying it, but his behaviour is so individualistic. His message yesterday on social media.
“You know you don’t like what’s going on with your club, you can’t stand your coach Ten Hag any more, you feel like you are disrespected for what you have done, but your status no longer exists!
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“You are no longer the same player, you have been demoted, you have suffered a downgrade, but you do not accept it because your ego is so oversized. Say it real! It can’t be defensible.”
After 24 goals in 39 games last season, Ronaldo has hit two in 12 so far this year with minutes coming his way far more sparingly after reporting back late to pre-season training and a change in system.
But the 37-year-old seems to remain adamant he should play from the start of games and is claimed to have refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham.
However, while he was absent for the draw against Chelsea, Ten Hag has revealed he will be brought back in from the cold.
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Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville believed Ten Hag was “left with no choice” but to take action against Ronaldo, and added that he believed Ronaldo should leave “NEXT WEEK” if he refuses to accept his new role.
The debacle surrounding this situation has led to extensive debate, with a raging argument occurring on Sky Sports after United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Saturday.
SunSport understands letting Ronaldo loose would cost the club £10million unless they found a suitable buyer – with Chelsea owner Todd Boehly rumoured to be interested in the prospect of signing him.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
