Cristiano Ronaldo was dropped by Erik ten Hag on the trip to Chelsea after refusing to come on as a late substitute against Tottenham before leaving early; Gary Neville: “The only thing the club and Ronaldo can do is come together this coming week and end the relationship”
Gary Neville says that Manchester United should soon “end the relationship” with Cristiano Ronaldo, but Roy Keane considers that the players “have done worse” and that the striker is not a “bluffer”.
Ronaldo was dropped by Erik ten Hag in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea after refusing to come on as a late substitute against Tottenham before leaving early during Wednesday’s win, having left before half-time during a pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano.
“End this week or create a truce to get to the World Cup and then end. Because this has to end,” said Neville.
And during a heated debate on Sky Sports with former United captain Roy Keane, Neville argued: “There aren’t many Manchester United fans who would now have Ronaldo in their starting XI. They are better without it – they score more goals without it and they get more points without it. Manchester United are a better team without him.”
Ten Hag says he does not expect Ronaldo to leave the club during the January transfer window and that he is “counting” on him for the rest of the season, but Sky Sports commentator Neville believes the 37-year-old is likely to leave.
“For me, Erik ten Hag had no other option. This is the second time Ronaldo has left Old Trafford before his teammates entered the dressing room. This is unacceptable.
Erik ten Hag on Ronaldo after 1-1 draw with Chelsea
“As always, he can score goals and he has value for us. We need him, of course, and you see that in this game as well. He can submit, that’s pretty obvious.
“I think I’ve said enough about this situation. Let’s focus on this game, it was a good game for my team and I have to praise my team.
“If you can deliver that after four games out of 10 and then dictate that first half, in the second half we were really well organized and you fight back, I think that should be the focus.”
“When you look at whether Ronaldo should be selected, which is obviously Ronaldo’s main problem at the moment – that he is not playing – as a great player as he has been, Manchester United are better off without him.