Aheed Abrar
Roy Keane slams decision to bench Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo against Manchester City
Manchester United icon Roy Keane has slammed Erik ten Hag’s decision to keep Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench against Manchester City. The ex-Red Devil feels the Portuguese is being disrespected.
Ronaldo was an unused substitute as the Sky Blues dominated United in the Manchester derby. Pep Guardiola’s team were 4-0 up at half-time against the Red Devils. The Old Trafford side lost 6-3 in the end at the Etihad Stadium.
Ronaldo had expressed his desire to cut his homecoming short at United in the summer of 2022. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner made his way back to the Old Trafford side last year, having left in 2009. However, in the end, the 37-year-old stayed.
Speaking after the loss via Manchester Evening News, former United captain Keane is surprised by the way United have treated Ronaldo. The former Ireland international feels the Red Devils should have let the 37-year-old leave in the recent transfer window.
“I think United are just showing disrespect to Ronaldo, he should’ve been let go before the end of the transfer window.
“The manager said he’s holding onto him. Okay, you need options but you don’t keep hold of Ronaldo to sit on the bench.”
Ronaldo has found himself on the bench at United
Ten Hag started with the same lineup that beat Arsenal 3-1 at Old Trafford. The Dutch manager has stayed consistent with his selection over the last few weeks.
United had won four games in a row in the Premier League before visiting the Etihad Stadium. And Ronaldo did not start in any of those matches.
After the 4-0 loss to Brentford, Ten Hag made some considerable changes. The Dutch manager decided to drop the 37-year-old to the bench.
Ten Hag also seemingly changed the Red Devils’ approach to games. Against Liverpool, we set up to play on the counter and found success. And since then, the Old Trafford side have followed a similar game plan.
The Dutch manager has preferred Marcus Rashford in the number nine position. And the England international has repaid that trust. The 24-year-old has been key for the side this season.
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Ronaldo ended last season as our top goalscorer. However, the Portuguese has found the back of the net once in the 2022/23 campaign. It remains to be seen whether the 37-year-old finds his way back into the side or decides to move in January.
