Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has said there “has to be consequences” after confirming Cristiano Ronaldo refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham on Wednesday. Ronaldo, 37, left Old Trafford before full-time after leaving the bench and walking down the tunnel in the 89th minute of United’s 2-0 win.
He has been dropped for Saturday’s game at Chelsea and is training alone. Asked directly whether Ronaldo refused to come on, Ten Hag said: “Yes.” Ten Hag warned the Portugal international about his conduct in the summer when he left Old Trafford early after being substituted at half-time in a pre-season friendly with Rayo Vallecano. This time he felt he had to act. “I am the manager, I am responsible for the culture here. I have to set standards and values and have to control them. We are in a team,” Ten Hag said.
“After Rayo Vallecano, I said it was unacceptable, but it wasn’t just him. The second time there has to be consequences. That is what has happened. “We miss him tomorrow, that is a miss for us and the squad, but I think it is important for the attitude and mentality of the group and now we have to focus on Chelsea – that is the most important.”