When the starting elevens for the Manchester derby were announced this Sunday, nobody was surprised that Cristiano Ronaldo was the starter. When Erik ten Hag decided to freshen up the attacking front during the second half, many were surprised that Martial, and not Cristiano Ronaldo, was the preferred option. When the match ended, with United crushed by City, everyone was surprised that Cristiano Ronaldo did not even come off the bench.
The captain of the National Team watched as a substitute, throughout the 90 minutes, the humiliating thrashing suffered by Manchester United against rival Manchester City. Ten Hag traded Malacia for Luke Shaw at halftime, launched Martial and Casemiro at game time and still put Fred with 20 minutes to go, leaving the Portuguese sitting on the bench and still seeing the French striker score two goals for the Red Devils.
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At the end of the game, asked about the fact that he had not used Cristiano Ronaldo, the Dutch coach assured that the striker did not go from second to third option on the attacking front. “I wouldn’t put it on because we were losing 4-0 and it would be disrespectful to Cristiano and his great career. And I could put Marcial, who needs minutes, ” Ten Hag explained at a press conference, leaving an analysis of what happened this Sunday at the Etihad.
“It’s very simple: we didn’t believe it. It is unacceptable not to believe, on the pitch, that we can win. We were undisciplined when it came to complying with the rules on the field and they massacred us, that’s what happened. For me it was a surprise. We were not brave. City had merits but this had nothing to do with them. Our performance was simply not good. It had everything to do with our discredit, individual and collective. I felt the problems from the beginning and at the break we changed our attitude, we saw a different United and we scored goals, we created more chances. However, we were disappointed. Us and our fans”, defended the coach.
“I would not bring him because we are 4-0 down, out of respect for Cristiano for his great career” ????
Erik ten Hag on why Cristiano Ronaldo did not appear for Manchester United in the loss to Manchester City ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/FSAbdWC8f5
— United Man News (@ManUtdMEN) October 3, 2022
Even so, Erik ten Hag’s decision regarding Cristiano Ronaldo is not consensual. Roy Keane, former captain of Manchester United, considers that the club is “disrespecting” the Portuguese player. “I think they should have let him go well before the end of the transfer window. The coach clings to him. You can’t say you need options and then leave Ronaldo on the bench. He is one of the best players of all time. I think we both know that he will not use Ronaldo, he has only done it in two European games. He is not going to make Ronaldo play. I think the situation will get uglier as the season goes on. Sitting Cristiano Ronaldo on the Manchester United bench week after week is not going to be good. Leaving him on the bench is ridiculous for a player of this status,” the Irishman told Sky Sports.
Gary Neville, on the other hand, agrees with Ten Hag’s decision. “I understand your point of view, to be honest. Putting it 4-0 or 6-1 would have been an insult. Maybe he didn’t express himself in the best possible way but I like his honesty,” said another former Manchester United captain. For history, there is the reaction of Cristiano Ronaldo, sitting on the bench, when the game was already 3-0 in the 40th minute.
The reaction of Casemiro and Ronaldo on the Man United bench???? pic.twitter.com/tVzZCAKwTX
— Paa Willie GH ??????? (@Willie1256) October 2, 2022
Source: Observadora
