sport news Cristiano Ronaldo is livid at being on the bench for Manchester United, says ... trends now
For someone who was ‘p****d off’ at being left on the bench for Sunday’s Manchester derby, a Europa League start in Nicosia on Thursday will only go so far towards placating Cristiano Ronaldo.
This is the competition he feels is beneath him. Champions League lite. An opportunity on any given Thursday for Manchester United to use fringe players, which these days includes Ronaldo himself.
Manager Erik ten Hag’s decision not to send on the Portugal star when United were hit for six by Manchester City has sparked fresh speculation over Ronaldo’s future at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag admitted Cristiano Ronaldo was frustrated to be on the bench versus Manchester City
Ten Hag says that Ronaldo is training well and he didn't bring him on out of respect
In truth, very little has changed. A player who wanted to leave in the summer still wants to leave after starting just three of the club’s nine games this season. United would have listened to offers then and will do so again in January if one is forthcoming.
Trouble is, the only firm bid has come from Saudi Arabia and that was never a realistic option for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Interest is no longer guaranteed in a player who looks off the pace this season, scoring just once — a penalty against Sheriff Tiraspol — to move on to 699 club goals in an incredible career. At 37, Ronaldo can only defy nature for so long.
Ronaldo is likely to start against Omonia but feels that the Europa League is beneath him
Ten Hag continues to perform a delicate balancing act with a man who desperately wants to play but is some way past his best. The Dutchman yesterday reiterated that he didn’t expose Ronaldo to United’s derby battering out of respect.
The player wasn’t happy, but Ten Hag pointed out
