Bruno Fernandes refuses to answer Cristiano Ronaldo question in Sky Sports interview

Bruno Fernandes refused to comment on Cristiano Ronaldo’s current plight in the aftermath of Manchester United’s dramatic 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

Ronaldo was left out of the United squad that travelled to Stamford Bridge on Saturday as punishment after he refused to come on as a substitute before leaving Old Trafford early during the midweek win over Tottenham.

Erik ten Hag’s side produced an impressive first-half performance in Ronaldo’s absence, but they faded after the break and were light on attacking options to change the game. The visitors had Casemiro to thank after his last-gasp leveller cancelled out Jorginho’s second-half penalty to pinch a share of the spoils.

Manchester United released a statement on Thursday evening outlining that Ronaldo would not be part of the travelling squad for Saturday’s match, and Fernandes was reluctant to discuss the situation after the final whistle.

“We do not talk about it, we keep it quiet inside,” Fernandes told Sky Sports after being asked about Ronaldo. “We have to deal with that inside, no one has to know what we think, want or what will happen. We don’t know, the most important thing for everyone, including Cristiano, is that the team wins.”

Unsurprisingly, Ronaldo’s status dominated the narrative before the match – but there were contrasting views of how the situation has been handled. Roy Keane admitted that the Portuguese superstar would have to “take his medicine” after storming off, but he did concede that had some sympathy for his former Old Trafford teammate.

Another of Ronaldo’s ex-United teammates, Gary Neville, was less forgiving with his assessment of the situation, and the Sky Sports pundit even claimed that the club should now be trying to end their “relationship” with the 37-year-old.

Neville told Sky Sports before the match: “Well it has been a big week for Erik ten Hag, I don’t think he was left with any other option, that’s the second time Cristiano Ronaldo has left Old Trafford in his car before his team have got in the changing room.

“I have to say as someone in the dressing room, it’s something that’s unacceptable. When you look at whether Cristiano should be selected which is Cristiano Ronaldo’s biggest problem at the moment – that he isn’t playing – Manchester United are better without him and Erik ten Hag knows that.

He added: “The only thing that Cristiano and the club can do is get together in the next week and end the relationship. Cristiano is too good of a player, too fantastic of a character and the club have got to move on.”