Cristiano Ronaldo refused to come on as a substitute in Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Tottenham before storming out of Old Trafford.
Manager Erik ten Hag has punished Ronaldo’s act of defiance on Wednesday night by axing the star from his squad for Saturday’s game at Chelsea, as revealed by Sportsmail on Thursday.
United would not comment on Thursday night on whether Ronaldo had been fined the maximum two weeks’ wages, which would cost him £1million.
A club statement read: ‘Cristiano will not be part of the Manchester United squad for Saturday’s game against Chelsea. The rest of the squad is fully focused on preparing for that fixture.’
Ronaldo, who released a statement on Thursday night admitting he had reacted badly in the ‘heat of the moment’, has also been banished from first-team training ahead of the game at Stamford Bridge.
Ten Hag had vowed to ‘deal’ with Ronaldo and the punishment, meted out during showdown talks with Ronaldo, 37, at Carrington on Thursday, has the full support of the Old Trafford hierarchy.
It was assumed that Ronaldo’s early exit was a reaction to being left on the bench for the second time this season. But it has now emerged he had been told to go on by Ten Hag and snubbed his manager.
Ronaldo headed down the tunnel in the 89th minute, picked up his belongings from the dressing room and left Old Trafford before the final whistle. The public nature of his departure meant Ten Hag and United had no option but to act.
The incident has put their fragile working relationship under intense scrutiny and cast further doubt over Ronaldo’s future.
It is understood the player has shown thinly veiled disdain for Ten Hag and his coaching team, to the extent of blatantly ignoring one senior staff figure.
Ronaldo has been openly critical of training and believes United should play in a different way.
The players are said to be aware of Ronaldo and Ten Hag clashing on a daily basis, although it is not affecting the spirit in camp.
Source: Mail online