Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit has slammed Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo for his behaviour against Tottenham, where he refused to come on as a substitute.
During the Rothen S’enflamme show in France, Emmanuel Petit explained that Cristiano Ronaldo has regressed over the past year and has rightly fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford.
However, the Portuguese international is struggling to accept that because of his “oversized ego” and that is why he chose to refuse to come on as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur earlier this week and left the stadium even before the match had finished.
“He tires everyone: the supporters, his teammates… They don’t want him anymore in the locker room, he pollutes everyone so much,” said Petit (via RMC Sport).
“He has an exceptional career, when he stops we will all be unanimous in saying it, but his behaviour is so individualistic. His message yesterday on social media. You know you don’t like what’s going on with your club, you can’t stand your coach Ten Hag anymore, you feel like you are disrespected for what you have done, but your status no longer exists! You are no longer the same player, you have been demoted, you have suffered a downgrade, but you do not accept it because your ego is so oversized. Say it real! It can’t be defensible.”
Ronaldo has had a disappointing campaign with Manchester United so far, starting just twice in the Premier League. A player of his quality is likely to demand regular football, but that has not been on offer since the arrival of Erik ten Hag.
It is clear that Ronaldo has fallen out with the new Manchester United manager. And it will be interesting to see how the situation develops over the next few months. Ronaldo was heavily linked with a move away from Manchester United during the summer transfer window, but the Red Devils decided to hold on to him anyway.
Apparently, the 37-year-old wanted to leave because of the absence of Champions League football. Despite deciding to hold on to Ronaldo during the summer transfer window, Manchester United have not been able to provide him with regular first-team action, which seems to have infuriated the player.
Ronaldo was left on the bench for the game against Tottenham in the midweek. And when ten Hag wanted to bring him on during the course of the game, the Portuguese international refused and walked down the tunnel. Apparently, he left the stadium even before the game was finished.
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Ten Hag subsequently confirmed in a press conference that the veteran striker will have to face the consequences for disrespecting the club and his decision. Manchester United have released an official statement claiming that Ronaldo will be suspended for the weekend’s clash against Chelsea.
