Aheed Abrar
Erik ten Hag insists superstar Cristiano Ronaldo happy during training sessions at Manchester United despite Man City snub
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has insisted that Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is happy during training sessions. The 37-year-old has not gotten a lot of game time with the Red Devils under the Dutch manager.
Ronaldo cut a dejected figure on the bench as United conceded six goals against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Marcus Rashford started ahead of the Portuguese. And the England international was replaced by Anthony Martial in the second half.
The French forward went on to score two consolation goals for United while Ronaldo sat on the bench. Ten Hag had earlier claimed he did not substitute the five-time Ballon d’Or winner against the Sky Blues out of “respect.”
And speaking to the media ahead of the game against Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League via the Express, the Dutch manager reiterated his earlier feelings. And the former Ajax head coach also claimed his decision had nothing to do with the 37-year-old’s future at the club.
“I can’t see that relation, that he is not coming on when we are 4-0 down, I did not bring him on out of respect. It has nothing to do with the future or January. I don’t see him as unhappy. He is happy, training well and enjoying.
“He’s not happy that he didn’t play Sunday, don’t get me wrong, but the question was about his mood in training, where he’s happy.”
Ronaldo returned to United last year, having left the Red Devils in 2009 for Real Madrid. The Portuguese had a stint with Juventus before returning to Manchester.
The 37-year-old enjoyed his first season back in a red shirt. Ronaldo ended the 2021/22 campaign as our leading goalscorer in all competitions. However, the Red Devils were overall underwhelming, finishing sixth in the Premier League.
Ronaldo missed most of the pre-season training under Ten Hag. The Portuguese was seemingly angling for a move away from United. However, he has ended up staying at the Old Trafford side for now.
But Ronaldo has found it challenging to get in the starting lineup. The 37-year-old has started just one game in the English top flight this season. His other starts have come in the Europa League.
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Ronaldo opened his account for the 2022/23 campaign with a penalty against Sheriff Tiraspol. Considering the stature of the Portuguese, he evidently will not be happy about not getting regular minutes. So it remains to be seen what the future holds for the 37-year-old in Manchester.
