Ten Hag lays out demands before Cristiano Ronaldo allowed back in Man Utd squad

Cristiano Ronaldo must say sorry if he wants to be allowed back into the Manchester United fold.

Erik ten Hag confirmed he dropped and fined Ronaldo for refusing to come on as a sub in United’s 2-0 midweek win over Tottenham. Ronaldo will miss today’s game at Chelsea and has been told by Ten Hag he must show real contrition if he wants to train with the first-team squad again.

In an Instagram post, Ronaldo said “sometimes the heat of the moment gets the best of us” but stopped short of apologising to Ten Hag, his team-mates and United fans. Ten Hag also warned Ronaldo he could face a backlash from his own fans following his public show of dissent at Old Trafford.

Asked if Ronaldo will return to training with first-team squad on Monday, Ten Hag said: “We will first talk. I don’t want to miss him. I want him to be in the squad and be involved for every game because he has an impact.”

Asked if Ronaldo must show he is sorry before being allowed back, Ten Hag said: “We set certain standards. That is for any player. He has to live, as anyone else, along certain standards and the standards we set this season.”

Ten Hag said Ronaldo’s hero status among United fans was justified, but warned the forward he will also be judged by his current conduct. “I think it’s justified, because he has achieved a lot in his career,” said Ten Hag

“But he has to be aware that you get judged by the moment and how you are acting today. In top sport, it’s about today, it’s not about age or reputation. In top sport, you get judged by the moment and how you act.

“That’s normal. Everyone has to be aware of it and not just Cristiano. We have to be aware of it as a team, a manager and a club.”