Cristiano Ronaldo is set to be left off the roster for this weekend’s match between Manchester United and Chelsea.
He has reportedly been asked to train alone this week as he left Old Trafford earlier this week against Tottenham before the match had finished. United won, 2-0.
Following said actions, United announced on Thursday that “Ronaldo will not be part of the Manchester United squad for this Saturday’s Premier League game against Chelsea,” and that “the rest of the squad is fully focused on preparing for that fixture.”
United manager Erik Ten Hag discussed the situation further.
“I am the manager and I am responsible for the top sport culture here and I have to set standards and values and I have to control them.” Ten Hag said. “We are a team and in the team, we have values and standards and I have to control that. After Rayo Vallecano, I told [Ronaldo] it was unacceptable but he was not the only one, but that is for everyone so when it’s the second time, there will be consequences.”
Clearly the warning earlier in the year didn’t make an impact as the situation repeated itself this week against Tottenham.
“I sent a warning at the start of the season, next time there has to be consequences,” Ten Hag added. “Football is a team sport and you have to fulfil certain standards. And I have to control it.”
Reports indicated that Ronaldo did in fact train alone on Friday, and will not be at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Ronaldo, on Thursday via Instagram, made his own statement.
“Right now, I just feel that I have to keep working hard in Carrington, support my teammates and be ready for everything in any given game,” Ronaldo’s statement read. “Giving in to the pressure is not an option. It never was. This is Manchester United, and united we must stand. Soon we’ll be together again.”
Ronaldo is projected to join the team again next week ahead of their Europa League fixture against FC Sheriff at Old Trafford.
United will also be without Anthony Martial against Chelsea due to a back injury.
“We will miss him [Ronaldo] tomorrow,” Ten Hag said. “It’s a miss for the squad but it’s important for the attitude and mentality of the group and now we have to focus on Chelsea as that is important. He remains an important part of the squad.”
