Cristiano Ronaldo breaks silence after being banished from Man Utd squad
Cristiano Ronaldo has released a statement in response to the news that he has been axed from Manchester United’s upcoming trip to Chelsea.
The 37-year-old will not be included against the Blues on Saturday after reportedly failing to come on during Wednesday night’s win over Tottenham. Shortly after his punishment was confirmed, Ronaldo took to social media with a message of his own.
“As I’ve always done throughout my career, I try to live and play respectfully towards my colleagues, my adversaries and my coaches,” the statement reads. “That hasn’t changed. I haven’t changed. I’m the same person and the same professional that I’ve been for the last 20 years playing elite football, and respect has always played a very important role in my decision making process.
“I started very young, the older and most experienced players examples were always very important to me. Therefore, later on, I’ve always tried to set the example myself for the youngsters that grew in all the teams that I’ve represented. Unfortunately that’s not always possible and sometimes the heat of the moment get’s the best of us.
“Right now, I just feel that I have to keep working hard in Carrington, support my teammates and be ready for everything in any given game. Giving in to the pressure is not an option. It never was. This is Manchester United, and united we must stand. Soon we’ll be together again.”
Ronaldo is only 13 months removed from his celebrated return to the Red Devils, but his relationship with manager Erik ten Hag now appears beyond repair after this latest indiscretion. The Portuguese forward was named amongst the subs vs Spurs, having dropped to the bench after starting against Newcastle.
Goals from Fred and Bruno Fernandes earned United an impressive 2-0 victory, but the headlines were stolen by Ronaldo after he stormed down the tunnel before the final whistle. Ten Hag was vague over the incident but did insist it would be dealt with behind-closed-doors.
“I don’t pay attention to that, I will deal with that tomorrow. I want to keep the focus on the team,” he said in his post-match press conference.
“It was magnificent from all 11 players. I have to correct myself. It was also a performance from the substitutes who came on. Once again, it was a squad performance. I think what we have seen is 11 players who defend and 11 who attack. I was pleased.”
Mirror Football understands that in the aftermath of the incident Ronaldo was slapped with a fine in the region of £1m and banned from first-team training for at least three days. United subsequently confirmed he would not be involved in Saturday’s game against Chelsea in a brief statement.
“Cristiano Ronaldo will not be part of the Manchester United squad for this Saturday’s game against Chelsea. The rest of the squad is fully focused on preparing for that fixture,” an official United update read.
Ten Hag is believed to have been backed by the Old Trafford hierarchy to sanction the club’s most recognisable – and highest paid player – as he wishes. It’s the latest in a string of disagreements between Ronaldo and United, which started at the end of last season.
Having hit 24 goals in his first campaign back at the club, Ronaldo made it clear he wished to leave with United missing out on the Champions League. He then missed the club’s pre-season tour of Asia and Australia and started behind the rest of his team-mates.
Ronaldo was then involved in a friendly match against Rayo Vallecano at the end of their summer preparations but left at half-time in an episode Ten Hag described as “unacceptable.”
The saga is sure to only strengthen the forward’s desire to leave the club when the January transfer window opens. However, while United are reluctant to sanction a mid-season sale without a replacement – there is an acknowledgement the situation is becoming increasingly untenable.
