Cristiano Ronaldo tells Tottenham Hotspur why refused to come on for Manchester United
Tottenham Hotspur fans were as bemused as Manchester United supporters when Cristiano Ronaldo did not feature even for a single minute in the Red Devils’ 2-0 league win at Old Trafford earlier this campaign.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who finished as Manchester United’s top scorer last season with 24 goals across competitions, was an unused substitute for the entirety. He walked out of the stadium before the full-time whistle.
Later, it was revealed that he was asked to come on, but he refused to come on. Many wondered what the reason was. The player has now explained it in detail.
Speaking in his explosive interview with Piers Morgan via TalkTV (h/t Metro), Ronaldo said that he wasn’t the kind of player you bring on to run down the clock. He said:
“Probably, or maybe no, I don’t know. It’s difficult to tell you 100% but let’s say I regret, but in the same way I felt provoked by the coach. Not allowed for me, a coach to put me in three minutes in a game. Sorry, I’m not that kind of player. I know what I can give to the teams.”
The game against Tottenham Hotspur has taken a centre stage amid the controversy that surrounds Cristiano Ronald’s future at Manchester United. Spurs were beaten pretty brutally that day – almost a month ago from today.
Bruno Fernandes’ goal in the 69th minute made it 2-0 on the night and virtually sealed the win for the Red Devils. Who knows, Ten Hag may have brought in the former Real Madrid star if Spurs put up a fight and were in the game for the last half an hour…
The 2-0 scoreline did not do justice to the way we were constantly put under pressure by the Red Devils. Perhaps it was our strategy to defend and soak up pressure that ultimately cost us.
That game is history, but it has the potential of becoming a very important milestone in the potential downfall of one of the world’s best players. The 37-year-old has arguably burned his bridges at Old Trafford.
More Tottenham Hotspur News:
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- Chelsea star Raheem Sterling lavishes praise on Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane
- Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui hand Adama Traore contract boost to Tottenham Hotspur
Does his situation bother us? Not in the slightest. United have evidently been a strong team this campaign, even without the Portugal international’s goals and we can expect a strong challenge from them for the top-four spots this season regardless of what happens with Ronaldo in the January transfer window.
