Erik ten Hag regarded to maneuver previous the controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s early departure from a pre-season pleasant because the Dutchman prepares for his first Premier League recreation as Manchester United supervisor.
Ronaldo was one in all a number of United gamers who left Previous Trafford early throughout final weekend’s 1-1 pleasant draw with Rayo Vallecano.
Ten Hag gave an interview on Dutch tv through the week and referred to as such actions “unacceptable”.
Whereas he was speaking broadly about all gamers who went residence early, the main target of these quotes within the media was on Ronaldo.
The Portugal star’s relationship with United has been a relentless sideshow throughout pre-season, as he didn’t go on their tour of Australia and Thailand owing to non-public causes, although on the time there was frequent hypothesis suggesting he wished to go away for a Champions League membership.
No such transfer has materialised and he performed the primary 45 minutes towards Rayo, his solely motion of pre-season, with Ronaldo unsurprisingly the centre of consideration throughout Ten Hag’s first Premier League pre-match information convention on Friday.
“Now I’ve to level. Those that left early, there have been many,” Ten Hag stated when requested about his criticism of the gamers. “However the highlight is on Ronaldo, and that’s not proper.
“He was a part of it, however once more it was a variety of gamers. So do you analysis and make [it clear that] many gamers left.”
Pressed by a reporter on whether or not he was joyful that Ronaldo was content material on the membership, the considerably prickly Ten Hag replied: “I’m actually joyful, I advised you earlier than. We now have a high striker, I’m joyful he’s right here. He’s within the squad and we keep on with the plan.”
“Our goal is to win each recreation, that is what Manchester United stands for,” Erik provides.
“We now have to look ahead to the primary recreation and the strategy needs to be: to win each recreation. So, let’s begin Sunday.” #MUFC || #MUNBHA
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 5, 2022
Ten Hag was subsequently requested what measures might be carried out to make sure gamers don’t take liberties in future, although he appeared to substantiate none of these responsible on this event had been going through disciplinary motion.
“I believe we stated sufficient of it. I stated it’s not appropriate, clear. You point out it, appropriate them, after which transfer on,” he stated.
“I believe I’m happy with the entire workforce, they’re working properly, it’s a superb tradition. And in addition Ronaldo, he’s working actually arduous.”
Ronaldo seemingly has a robust probability of beginning in Sunday’s go to of Brighton and Hove Albion, with their solely different recognised senior striker – Anthony Martial – sustaining a hamstring harm towards Atletico Madrid final Saturday.
The Frenchman, who endured a disappointing mortgage spell at Sevilla within the second half of final season, had regarded sharp in pre-season however now seems set to start the marketing campaign on the sidelines.
“It’s all the time troublesome to say [how long he will be out for] with these accidents, I hope not too lengthy,” Ten Hag stated.
