Cristiano Ronaldo: Man United striker can be handled after strolling down tunnel early

Erik ten Hag says he’ll “cope with” Cristiano Ronaldo after the striker walked down the tunnel earlier than the top of Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Tottenham on Wednesday evening.

Ronaldo was named on the bench however left his seat to return to the dressing room earlier than the ultimate whistle regardless of supervisor Erik ten Hag nonetheless having two accessible substitutions.

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, extra (U.S.)

Ten Hag refused to broaden on the state of affairs throughout his post-match media duties, saying solely that he would handle the difficulty on Thursday.

“I do not listen [to that] at the moment, we are going to cope with that tomorrow,” Ten Hag mentioned when requested about Ronaldo’s behaviour in leaving the bench within the ninetieth minute.

“The main target at the moment was on an impressive efficiency from all of the 11 gamers.

“I’ve to right myself, not simply 11 gamers however the substitutes who got here on, it was a squad efficiency.

“We cope with that [Ronaldo] tomorrow. What we see at the moment is 11 gamers who defend and 11 who assault.”

It isn’t the primary time Ronaldo has brought about an issue for Ten Hag by leaving a recreation early.

The Dutchman branded the striker’s actions “unacceptable” after he was pictured leaving Previous Trafford earlier than the top of a preseason pleasant in opposition to Rayo Vallecano in July following his substitution at half-time.

“That is unacceptable,” Ten Hag mentioned on the time. “For everybody. We’re a crew and you must keep to the top.”

Ten Hag was additionally pressured to defend Ronaldo this week after the Portugal worldwide was pictured shaking his head after being substituted through the 0-0 draw with Newcastle on Sunday.

Ronaldo, who has scored two objectives in 12 appearances to this point this season, was changed with 18 minutes left regardless of United needing a objective, however Ten Hag insisted he didn’t have an issue with the response.

“I feel no participant is completely satisfied when he [is taken] off, and particularly not Ronaldo, I perceive that,” he mentioned.

“So long as it’s [done] in fairly a standard method, [I have] no drawback with that.”