Featured
LATEST: Moments after Ronaldo’s axe, Ten Hag finally takes further drastic measures to end his antics at Old Trafford
Cristiano Ronaldo has been reported to have been axed from playing a part in Manchester United’s squad to face Chelsea on Saturday following the player’s unprofessional gesture during the Red Devils’ mid-week clash with Tottenham at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
The Portuguese was seen storming off the pitch at the 89th as he headed for the tunnel before full-time, a behaviour that has since been condemned by the club, and the report reaching National Daily reveals that United’s boss Erik ten Hag is planning of taking further measures to prevent the Red Devils legend from such antics going forward.
It is believed that Ten Hag has finally decided to get rid of Cristiano Ronaldo in the New Year after the veteran striker following his latest unprofessional behaviour.
National Daily understands that United’s boss has finally run out of patience with Ronaldo and wants the Portuguese star out of the Old Trafford club in January – even if it means tearing up the veteran’s contract.
Ronaldo and Ten Hag’s relationship appears to be broken beyond repair after the striker refused to come off the bench and subsequently stormed down the tunnel and out of Old Trafford before the conclusion of United’s 2-0 win against Tottenham on Wednesday night.
And although Ten Hag was reluctant to discuss the incident after the match, Manchester United have since confirmed that Ronaldo will not be considered for this weekend’s clash against Chelsea – and there is even a chance that the former Juventus man has already played his final game for the club.
National Daily gathered from the report by The Sun, that Ten Hag now wants Ronaldo out of the club in January, regardless of whether or not the forward has any suitors lined up. And that could mean United end up ripping up Ronaldo’s contract, which runs until the end of the season, six months early.
The report also outlines that Ronaldo has now lost the support of the ‘few allies’ he had left at Old Trafford following his remarkable post-match strop in midweek. As well as being excluded from the United squad that will travel to Chelsea at the weekend, Ronaldo will also train on his own and be slapped with a mammoth fine for his latest indiscretion.
In a statement released on Thursday evening, United said: “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.”
Ronaldo released a statement of his own shortly after United’s update. But while the legend admitted that the “heat of the moment” got the better of him, he still did not apologise.
“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 read. “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 gets 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.”