Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says he will "deal with" Cristiano Ronaldo after the unused substitute walked down the tunnel minutes before the end of the win over Tottenham. Ronaldo, 37, left in the 89th minute, shortly after Ten Hag brought on Christian Eriksen and Anthony Elanga. "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." Despite United having only made three of their five permitted substitutions in Wednesday's 2-0 home win, Ronaldo decided to leave the bench early and disappeared down the Old Trafford tunnel. It came three days after he showed his displeasure at being substituted against Newcastle.
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After Sunday's 0-0 draw Ten Hag said he had "no problem" with Ronaldo's negative reaction, but added the Portuguese must convince him "he has to stay on". Former England striker Gary Lineker said Ronaldo's behavior unnecessarily took attention from United's performance against Spurs. "I'm sorry, that is unacceptable - it is so poor," Lineker said on Wednesday's Match of the Day. Pundits Ashley Williams and Micah Richards agreed with Lineker. "It was a great night for Manchester United and here we are again talking about Cristiano Ronaldo - even though he didn't play," said ex-Wales captain Williams.
Former England defender Richards said: "For one of the greats of the game to do that when your team is winning, making it about him, is disappointing." Speaking to BBC Radio 4, Richards said Ronaldo's behavior was "disrespectful" and the player should be allowed to leave in the January transfer window. "His manager had problems with him at the start of the season, during pre-season, and to then carry this on - I just think there is only one way this needs to go now," Richards added. "They need to come to an agreement in January and they need to let him go.
There's always a way back in football but he is undermining the manager there, so I think it's best if they just part ways." Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel said Ronaldo would have been aware such behavior would create "headlines". "It's the first time I can say that I am disappointed with him. Normally I back him, I understand his situation," Schmeichel said. "We are in transition. Manchester United are now five managers down the road since Alex Ferguson," he added. "We have got Erik ten Hag in now who has very clear ideas about the way he wants to play football. We need understanding and time from everyone. "We don't need distractions like that, and that's a disappointment, I would say."
