Cristiano Ronaldo has been dropped from the Manchester United squad after his early departure in the Premier League game against Tottenham.
The top English club announced this in a statement on Thursday evening (October 20th, 2022). Ronaldo is missing Saturday’s Premier League duel at Chelsea. “The rest of the team is fully focused on preparing for this game,” it said.
Asked about the team
On Wednesday, Cristiano Ronaldo left the interior of the stadium prematurely in the 88th minute of United’s 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester could have made several changes at this point.
Team manager Erik ten Hag initially kept a low profile. The coach didn’t want to add fuel to the fire shortly after the incident, but he had to act against someone who is once again putting himself above the team.
According to media reports, the eccentric superstar did not want to come on late. Under Dutch team manager Erik ten Hag, the 37-year-old has only played as a reserve this season.
No direct apology from Ronaldo
On Thursday evening, Ronaldo commented on the incident on his Instagram account. He tries to “be a role model,” wrote the player, adding: “Unfortunately, that’s not always possible, and sometimes we’re caught off guard in the heat of the moment.” There was no direct excuse for his behavior.
He feels he has to “work hard, support my teammates and be ready for anything in every game”. Ronaldo continued: “Giving in to pressure is not an option. It never was. This is Manchester United and we must be united. Soon we will be together again.”
Also Schmeichel disappointed by Ronaldo
Ronaldo, back in Manchester since August 2021, is now even messing with people who have had his back so far. “It’s the first time I’ve been disappointed in him,” said former United keeper Peter Schmeichel. “I usually stand behind him, I understand his situation.”
Slapped a fan’s phone out of his hand
It’s the next sad chapter in the saga of the club hero who just isn’t happy after his return to Man United – and everyone can feel it. The five-time world footballer left the stadium during a preparatory game in August and got into trouble, and he is still defending himself against the charges brought by the English association FA. In April, Ronaldo slapped the phone out of a young fan’s hand at Everton FC.
It’s not going well for the 37-year-old, and that’s putting it mildly. After he had unsuccessfully forced his departure in the summer, Ronaldo is usually just a joker, against “Spurs” he warmed up in the second half in vain for a long time as a substitute. Apparently that’s beneath the dignity of a professional who continues to think he’s the greatest. So it came to the next solo effort, this time with severe consequences.