The Manchester United manager left Ronaldo out for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea, live on Sky Sports, as punishment after he previously left early during a pre-season friendly with Rayo Vallecano. At the pre-match press conference, Ten Haag confirmed reports that Ronaldo had refused to play and said: “What (happened) is the discussion between Cristiano and me. The statement (of the club) is also clear. Saturday 22 October 17:00 Start 17:30 Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Cristiano Ronaldo walked down the Old Trafford tunnel before blowing the final whistle in Manchester United’s win over Tottenham Hotspur. “I am the manager, I am responsible for the top sporting culture here and I have to set standards and values and I have to control them. We are in a group. “After Rayo Vallecano I said it’s unacceptable, but he wasn’t the only one. This is for everyone, when it’s the second time there will be consequences. That’s what we did now. We’ll miss him tomorrow, it’s a loss for the team, but I think it’s important for the behavior, the mentality for the team.”
Manchester United’s statement on Ronaldo:
“Cristiano will not be part of the Manchester United squad for Saturday’s game against Chelsea. The rest of the squad is fully focused on preparing for this game.” Ten Haag reiterated the club’s statement that Ronaldo “remains an important part of the team” although the forward will train alone on Friday. “I think it will be a reflection on him and everyone else,” Ten Haag said of what he hoped Ronaldo’s punishment would achieve. “I put a warning at the beginning of the season and next time it has to be consistency. When you live together, you play together, football is a team sport and you have to meet certain standards and I have to check that.”
“We have to win at Chelsea”
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player FREE WATCH: Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. Manchester United scored an important win over rivals Tottenham on Wednesday, but the Ronaldo incident threatened to overshadow their preparations for a second big clash with Chelsea. The Ten Hag insist their focus was firmly on their trip to Stamford Bridge. He said: “It’s for Chelsea, we have a big game to play, all my focus is on that game, all the focus from the staff and the focus from the players is on that game. We have to win this game and to do everything.we can so we need full concentration to prepare for the game and play our best. “When you play in the top flight sometimes there are rumors and noise, you have to focus on the job and that is to play tomorrow.”
Ronaldo: Sometimes the heat of the moment gets the best of us
Image: Ronaldo has yet to publicly apologize for refusing to play against Tottenham and leaving early
Ronaldo released a statement on Thursday in which he said: “As I have always done throughout my career, I try to live and play with respect for my colleagues, my opponents and my coaches. That has not changed. I have not . “I am the same person and the same professional who played elite football for the last 20 years and respect has always played a very important role in my decision-making process. “I started very young, the examples of the older and more experienced players were always very important to me. Therefore, later on, I always tried to set an example for the young people who grew up in all the teams I have represented. . “Unfortunately this is not always possible and sometimes the heat of the moment gets the best of us. “Right now, I just feel like I have to continue to work hard at Carrington, support my teammates and be ready for everything in any given game. Bowing to pressure is not an option. It never has been. “This is Manchester United and we must stand together. Soon we will be together again.”
