According to English media reports, the 37-year-old Portuguese refused to be brought onto the pitch in the final minutes of the Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur (2-0). However, there is no confirmation of this behavior. Shortly before the final whistle, Ronaldo had instead fled to the Old Trafford dressing room with his head down, without permission from coach Erik ten Hag. He subsequently dropped him from the squad for this Saturday’s game against Chelsea. The association does not provide information on the reasons. “The rest of the team is fully focused on preparing for this game,” it said.
According to the English tabloid “The Sun”, Ronaldo has now lost the support of the team as a result of his action. He has also been banned from team training ahead of the Chelsea game and has been fined £720,000 (€826,000) for publicly showing disrespect for the manager.
“Try to be a role model”
He’s trying “to be a role model,” Ronaldo himself wrote on Instagram on Thursday evening: “Unfortunately, that’s not always possible, and sometimes we’re caught off guard in the heat of the moment.” There was no direct excuse for his behavior.
He feels he has to “work hard, support my teammates and be ready for anything in every game”. Ronaldo continued: “Giving in to pressure is not an option. It never was. This is Manchester United and we must be united. Soon we will be together again.” English media, on the other hand, assume that he will have to leave the club in winter.
Ronaldo fuss aside, things haven’t been bad for United lately. In the last eight rounds there was only one defeat – which was sensitive with the 3: 6 against ManCity – but six wins in a draw. The “Red Devils” managed to advance to fifth place. A win over Chelsea would overtake fourth-placed Blues.
The Londoners are unbeaten under new coach Graham Potter, with five wins and two draws. Chelsea take on Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Premier League leaders Arsenal are visiting the 14th Southampton on Sunday, whose Styrian coach Ralph Hasenhüttl has to fear for his job, according to English media reports. Second-placed champions Manchester City, four points behind, host eighth Brighton the day before.
Source: Nachrichten
