Manchester United’s 2-0 home win over Tottenham Hotspur is considered the best game under Erik ten Hag.
The team played with their class performance and in front of a brilliant atmosphere throughout the game. But surprisingly, Cristiano Ronaldo expressed his disappointment and petulantly left the stadium before the final whistle.
This is not the first time he disrespectfully expressed himself, but it is the first time he felt left out—many view his long-curated honor as tainted at the last stage of his career.
Follow Main Stand to trace why Ronaldo’s second stint at Old Trafford has been tarnished.
Return of the prodigal son
Whether you’re a Manchester United fan or not, you will never forget how huge it was when 36-year-old global superstar Ronaldo rejoined the Red Devils in 2021 with a €20m transfer fee.
Apart from the sheer excitement, his return to Manchester United prompted a barrage of analyses about his return. Some question whether he has retained good form in the old days and whether his physical qualities can fight aggressive and fast-paced games in the Premier League.
However, no one was skeptical about his attitude, determination and self-discipline, not to mention his five Ballon d'Or awards. All this is a testament to his identity as a professional footballer.
During his spell, he has retained his remarkable form all along.
With formidable finisher Ronaldo on the pitch, the team will score. On top of that, former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær and his teammates agreed that Ronaldo has genuinely changed the team’s all-around attitude.
Solskjær even compared the veteran striker Ronaldo to Michael Jordan, a legendary NBA basketball player who played for the Chicago Bulls.
“Cristiano is just incredible,” shared the former United boss. “We all have our roles and responsibilities and Cristiano is a leader in the group.”
“He scores goals. If there’s anyone you want a chance to fall to - and a difficult chance - it’s him. It's just incredible.
“We’re not happy conceding goals. But I’m sure the Chicago Bulls didn’t mind having Michael Jordan, either.
“Sometimes the teams have the players they have, and that's why they are at Manchester United or Chicago Bulls, and you come up with those moments.”
Solskjær’s statement shows that Ronaldo greatly influences his teammates in the dressing room. Although he is new to the team, none of his fellow players doubts his vast experience and maturity.
It was also reported that Ronaldo constantly improves his footballing skills and does his best in the drills. He wishes to set himself as an excellent example for his younger fellow players, giving them advice on diets and experiences he has curated.
He was the player who did not experience any loss in form throughout the season and shouldered the entire squad.
But at the end of the season, scandals about his lack of professionalism were circulating, with many believing that he was bigger than the club.
The older he is, the less stamina he has
Ronaldo burst into his full-fledged performance under Solskjær.
His hard work made him a mainstay, especially in big matches. Solskjær would never leave Ronaldo on the bench unless it was due to illness or injury.
Negative rumors about him began circulating the internet when Manchester United experienced a loss in their form in the Solskjær era. The side’s deteriorating performance was believed to stem from Ronaldo’s influence off the pitch. It was not obvious, considering the intimacy between the Portuguese icon and Solskjær since their heyday at Old Trafford.
But the truth came to light when Ralf Rangnick was appointed as the interim manager of Manchester United after Solskjær was sacked in late 2021 following the club’s dismal performance.
“I am happy where I am, but if any club wanted to speak to me, the question would have to be: ‘Can I be somebody who can influence areas of development across the whole club?’ Otherwise, you are only getting half of what I am capable of,” Rangnick clarified his coaching methods, prioritizing teamwork.
“If, after that, you can work together in a trustworthy and respectful way, then you are more likely to be successful.”
Upon his arrival, Rangnick tried implementing the gegenpressing, which requires a tremendous amount of physical endurance.
The soon-to-be-retired footballer like Ronaldo had trouble adopting this playing style, failing to conform to Rangnick’s tactics.
Worse still, the rumor was that Ronaldo demanded an exit from Old Trafford as he sensed Manchester United were on the ropes and likely to fail to secure a top four spot in the Premier League.
In March, the Portuguese international didn’t play a single minute in the 4-1 away humiliation in the Manchester derby. He was also absent from several key matches toward the tail end of the season.
It was understandable in some cases. For example, Ronaldo didn't play against Liverpool in April because he was dealing with losing his baby boy.
But it didn’t make sense in other cases; he was a no-show in Manchester United’s last humiliating loss against Crystal Palace last season. The media questioned that he might have returned to Portugal, as the national team called him.
However, Rangnick admitted that Ronaldo might be displeased at Manchester United, as rumors had it.
“I haven’t asked him if he’s happy at Manchester, at this club. He must be fit again, and he resumed training yesterday. Then we will see which formation and line-up we will play tomorrow (against Wolves),” said the former Manchester United boss at the time.
Towards the end of last season, Ronaldo’s performance was disappointing. Beyond that, some believe that Ronaldo mars the squad’s unity and fails to fulfill the club’s goal due to worsening physical abilities and old age.
Aggravated by the fact that Manchester United ranked sixth in the Premier League, well out of contention for a UEFA Champions League spot, he began expressing his frustrations on the pitch.
The D-day for Ronaldo
When Erik ten Hag was appointed as the new manager, Ronaldo had second thoughts as he seemed happy with the arrival of the new boss.
But soon after, it was reported that Ten Hag embarked on his coaching role ahead of schedule and discussed his managerial plan with Ronaldo.
Italian media la Repubblica revealed that Ronaldo was already aware of potential changes under Ten Hag’s tutelage. In a nutshell, Ronaldo felt excluded from the manager’s plan, provoking him once again to attempt to leave Old Trafford.
Although Ten Hag denied the claim that he would leave Ronaldo behind, most media reports echoed that Ronaldo had ambitions to secure one more Champions League title.
Some sources even suggested he was willing to take a 30% pay cut and considered a move to Premier League side Chelsea.
Ronaldo was the only player who opted out of United’s recent pre-season tour, claiming that he had a family issue.
He was absent from many pre-season games as well. Even in the last friendly against Rayo Vallecano before the 2022-23 season officially kickstarted, Ronaldo deliberately left Old Trafford before the full-time whistle when he was kept on the sidelines after half-time.
But surprisingly, the numbers have shown that the Red Devils this season are a better team without CR7 on the pitch.
Manchester United average 2.25 points without Ronaldo and only 0.5 when his name is in the starting XI.
This is a life-changing part of his football career, as he has never had to endure watching his teammate from the bench.
Ten Hag has attempted to reveal in the press conference that Ronaldo is the linchpin for the team.
However, the truth is Ronaldo has little participation in the group, and he has scarcely played throughout the 90-minute game time. Instead of serving as a talisman, he’s become a peripheral squad player.
It’s been two months since the Premier League season commenced and Ronaldo has scored only two goals.
Manchester United’s recent 2-0 home victory against Spurs won’t be talked about by many as the best performance under ten Hag, but instead as the match when Ronaldo trotted down the tunnel and reportedly left the theater of dreams disappointed amidst jubilation all over the stadium.
Ten Hag stated right after the game, “I have seen him, but I haven’t spoken with him. I didn’t pay attention. We’ll deal with that tomorrow.”
As of the time of writing, Ronaldo was dropped from Manchester United’s 1-1 draw away at Chelsea.
Amidst all the chaos and turmoil surrounding the Ronaldo fiasco, there’s no one else for the United legend to blame but himself.
His actions have shown the world that he pays no respect to the club. Had he maintained his professionalism, followed the manager’s instructions, adhered to the rules and focused solely on the performance on the pitch, this all might not have happened.
From a hero’s welcome to Manchester United’s unwanted player, Ronaldo has been an architect of his own downfall at the Theater of Dreams.
Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2022/mar/12/ronaldo-continues-to-be-a-problem-and-a-magnificent-solution-for-united
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-united-cristiano-ronaldo-leave-24604364
https://www.sportbible.com/football/cristiano-ronaldo-man-united-transfer-news-20220801
https://ukdaily.news/nightmarish-start-the-ronaldo-case-but-whats-wrong-with-manchester-united-26076.html
https://talksport.com/football/1163650/cristiano-ronaldo-problems-man-utd-news-erik-ten-hag/
https://www.football365.com/news/mailbox-cristiano-ronaldo-man-utd-arsenal-man-city-fishlock
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/why-cristiano-ronaldo-man-united-out-vs-city-injury-derby/idnxvqpf6t0axunrla3gexis
