Cristiano Ronaldo has become accustomed to sitting on the bench at Man United this season

Erik ten Hag admits Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘P***ED OFF’ at sitting on the bench for Manchester United, as they face another transfer window of superstar pushing for exit over his bit-part role

  • Cristiano Ronaldo has started just one Premier League match this season
  • He was dropped by Erik ten Hag following embarrassing 4-0 defeat at Brentford
  • Portuguese star’s only starts since have come in UEFA Europa League games
  • He was an unused substitute as United crashed to a 6-3 loss at Man City
  • Ten Hag says he understands Ronaldo’s frustration but insists he is happy 

Cristiano Ronaldo was ‘p***ed off’ about not playing in the Manchester derby but he is still happy at Manchester United, says manager Erik ten Hag.

Ronaldo was left on the bench as United lost 6-3 at the Etihad on Sunday, with Ten Hag later saying that he didn’t bring on the Portugal star out of ‘respect for his big career’.

Ronaldo is expected to play in Thursday’s Europa League group tie against Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus, but the situation has led to more speculation that he could leave Old Trafford in January.

Cristiano Ronaldo has become accustomed to sitting on the bench at Man United this season

Cristiano Ronaldo has become accustomed to sitting on the bench at Man United this season

Ten Hag says he understands that Ronaldo is 'p***** off' he is not playing as much

Ten Hag says he understands that Ronaldo is ‘p***** off’ he is not playing as much 

Ten Hag said: ‘He’s not happy that he wasn’t playing Sunday, but that wasn’t the question. The question was about his mood when he’s around and if he’s happy. Of course, he wants to play, he’s p***ed off when he’s not playing.

‘I can’t see that relation, that he’s not coming when we’re 4-0, 5-1, 6-1 down, I didn’t bring him out of respect. It’s nothing to do with what’s happening for the future or January or next year.

‘I don’t see he’s unhappy. He’s happy, he’s training well, he’s enjoying it. Everyone is training well, there’s a good spirit, that’s not the point, it’s important as it’s a base to work well.

‘I never talk about my conversations with the players, it’s between us, that’s quite clear. Especially Cristiano, he’s really competitive, as we all know. He’s not happy when he’s not playing. 

‘But I already said and I have to repeat, he’s training well, he has a good mood, he’s motivated and he gives his best, that is what we expect.’

Ronaldo has been limited to starts in the UEFA Europa League since the defeat at Brentford

Ronaldo has been limited to starts in the UEFA Europa League since the defeat at Brentford

Asked to explain why he left Ronaldo on the bench in the derby out of respect but still brought on Anthony Martial, Ten Hag replied: ‘I think you know why that is, when you’re honest, you know there is a difference.

‘I made myself clear, it’s always about you live by the day, you line up the strongest team you have, but there are differences.

‘I will treat everyone with respect but they all have different backgrounds, with the character they’re different. I have to treat everyone different to get the best out of them, but there are general standards and values for everyone.’

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