Ronaldo's walk-off discussed by Mike Bushell on BBC Breakfast
Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has been branded a “spoilt brat” after he stormed down the Old Trafford tunnel before the full-time whistle had blown in the Red Devils’ 2-0 win over Tottenham on Wednesday. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was an unused substitute in perhaps Erik ten Hag's side’s most impressive performance of the season, but made headlines by leaving the ground and not giving his boss the opportunity to bring him on late in the game.
Ten Hag had not used all of his substitutes and may have wanted to introduce the Portuguese star on, who has been slammed by former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor. “Ronaldo is a spoilt brat, let’s be honest,” Agbonlahor told talkSPORT.
“He’s 37, he’s had the best career and is probably one of the best players to play the game. Your team, who you’re meant to love, are playing the best football that they’ve played in years and absolutely battered Spurs.
"They play better without him. Ronaldo came on against Everton and scored a goal and did well, then he started against Newcastle and was poor, got taken off and had a huff. I rate Ten Hag for not being pressured to play Ronaldo. To walk down the tunnel like that, for me, is a disgrace. You can’t do that.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been told he disrespected his Manchester United team-mates. (Image: GETTY)
"It’s so disrespectful to your teammates and if I’m the players in the changing room with Ronaldo after the game and find out about it, I want my manager to make a statement. I’d leave Ronaldo out of the Chelsea game. It’s disrespectful. Yes, he’s one of the best and scored 700 goals but you can’t disrespect your teammates. He made it about him.”
Ten Hag claimed he would “deal with” Ronaldo on Thursday once his side had finished celebrating their win. "I will deal with that tomorrow, not today. We are now celebrating this victory," said Ten Hag. "I have seen him, but I haven't spoken with him."
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Ronaldo’s stop is the second in a week, after he made his feelings clear when he was substituted off in the 0-0 draw with Newcastle and shook his head as he made his way off the pitch. Cameras panned to Ronaldo on the bench a few minutes later and he was still showing discontent at being brought off.
After the draw with Newcastle, Ten Hag claimed that Ronaldo needed to prove to the Dutchman why he should not be taken off in the future. “I think no player is happy when he [is taken] off, and especially not Ronaldo, I understand that,” Ten Hag said.
“As long as it is [done] in a quite normal way, [I have] no problem with that. He is, of course, to convince me that he should stay on and score a goal. That is why he is that good.”