Ten Hag warns Ronaldo of potential fan backlash

2 years ago 47

5:30 PM ET

  • Rob DawsonCorrespondent

Erik 10 Hag has warned Cristiano Ronaldo helium whitethorn look a backlash from Manchester United fans aft refusing to play against Tottenham Hotspur.

Ronaldo has been dropped from the squad to look Chelsea connected Saturday and spent Friday grooming unsocial with fittingness coaches astatine Carrington.

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Ten Hag volition question talks with the 37-year-old earlier deciding whether helium tin rejoin the archetypal squad connected Monday but says the striker could look a harsh absorption from supporters erstwhile helium makes his comeback if they consciousness helium has disrespected the club.

"He has to beryllium alert that you get justified [judged] by the infinitesimal and however you are acting today," Ten Hag said astatine a quality league connected Friday.

"In apical sport, it is astir contiguous -- it is not astir property oregon reputation. When you person apical sport, you get justified and judged by the infinitesimal and however you act.

"That is normal. Everyone has to beryllium alert of it and not conscionable Cristiano. We person to beryllium alert of it arsenic a team, a manager and a club."

Ten Hag says helium "wants and expects" Ronaldo to enactment astatine Old Trafford until the extremity of the play but insists helium volition lone beryllium allowed backmost into the squad if helium meets "certain standards."

The Dutchman expects to person the Portugal skipper disposable for the Europa League fixture against FC Sheriff connected Thursday but a determination is improbable to beryllium made until aft the travel to Chelsea.

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"It is for this crippled and past we continue," said Ten Hag.

"I americium unfastened to that. For me, it is simply a strike. What we said successful the connection is that Cristiano remains an important portion of the squad and I number connected him for the remainder of the season. We privation to fulfil our ambitions.

"What I said is I don't privation to miss him. I privation him to beryllium successful the squad and beryllium progressive for each crippled due to the fact that helium has an impact."

The determination astir however to grip Ronaldo's refusal to play against Tottenham was near to Ten Hag, though sources person told ESPN that United person backed his effect to the situation.

Ten Hag was fixed the greenish airy by nine chiefs to authorisation Ronaldo and the 52-year-old revealed helium made wide his demands of players erstwhile helium interviewed for the occupation earlier this year.

"When I got appointed, I talked to the directors astir the culture, apical athletics culture, standards and that is wherefore they appointed me," said Ten Hag.

"They did immoderate inheritance and we had talks astir however I lead, what my property is and however I bash it successful a strategical mode and astir my standards and leadership."

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