Graeme Souness blames Erik ten Hag and Manchester United for the Cristiano Ronaldo saga
Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has taken aim at Erik ten Hag and Manchester United for the Cristiano Ronaldo saga. The former player and manager puts blame on the club for how things have turned out with the Portugal international this season.
The 37-year-old was seen storming down the tunnel in the 90th minute in the 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford. He refused to come on as a substitute in the game.
Consequently, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was dropped from the squad for the fixture against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Portuguese star has been punished for his antics against Spurs.
However, in his Daily Mail column (h/t Metro), Souness pointed the finger at United’s treatment of Ronaldo for his current predicament.
“It’s a desperately sad situation that Cristiano Ronaldo finds himself in.
“This is a situation entirely of United’s making. A problem they just didn’t need to create. Erik ten Hag has made some bold and courageous decisions, trying to instil discipline and unity. But how did he think this situation with Ronaldo was going to work?
“Ten Hag and United have shot themselves in the foot and not helped themselves one bit.”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner made his way back to the red of Manchester last summer, having left the club in 2009 for Real Madrid. And the forward did not disappoint as he ended the previous campaign as our leading goalscorer in all competitions.
However, Ten Hag has preferred other options ahead of the Portuguese in the starting lineup. The 37-year-old has started two games in the Premier League for the Old Trafford side.
Ronaldo seems to be missing his shooting boots as well this season. In 12 appearances in all competitions, the forward has scored two goals and provided one assist.
The Dutch manager has chosen Marcus Rashford or Anthony Martial when they have been available for the centre-forward position. This has often meant the 37-year-old has had to settle for a place on the bench.
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What Ronaldo did was wrong. And the club and Ten Hag have every right to take disciplinary action against him. It would be wise for both parties to move on and let the Portuguese find pastures new in January.