Manchester United Manager, Erik ten Hag has said that he did not bring Cristiano Ronaldo off the bench during Manchester United’s 6-3 defeat at Manchester City “out of respect”. The 37-year-old was an unused substitute for the first time this season as City thumped United at the Etihad on Super Sunday.
Marcus Rashford’s return from a muscle injury saw Ronaldo drop out of United’s starting line-up and despite manager Ten Hag making five changes during the game, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was not one of them.
“I wouldn’t bring him in because out of respect for Cristiano, for his big career. And the other thing was the advantage I could bring Anthony Martial, he needs the minutes but I don’t want to point it out like that,” Erik Ten Hag said.
United lost 6-3 for only the sixth time in their history and the first time since the hammering at Southampton in October 1996.
Former Man United captain Roy Keane has criticized the club’s handling of the Portuguese superstar, declaring that United are displaying “disrespect” to the striker. An unimpressed Keane said in a chat with Sky Sports, “I think United are showing disrespect to Ronaldo. He should have been let go before the transfer window,”
“The manager held on to him. Ok, he said he wanted options. But you don’t hold on to Ronaldo to sit on the bench. He is one of the greatest players ever. He had options [to move in the summer]. This idea he didn’t have options is rubbish. He had four or five good options,” he added.
Manchester City were all over Manchester United on Sunday afternoon as goals from Erling Haaland [3] and Phil Foden [3] sealed all three points for the reigning Premier League champions. Antony and Anthony Martial [2] managed to claw back some pride in the second half but the damage was done early on.
The United players were accused of being “undisciplined at following rules” by Ten Hag, who told the players what he told the press.
“I also told the players,” he stressed. “Lack of belief. I have seen some highlights, it was obvious we are defending not on the front foot, we let them play, in possession we were not brave enough, made tactical mistakes, decision: mistakes and then you get hammered.”
