‘We are a team and you have to stay until the end’
Erik ten Hag has criticised Cristiano Ronaldo and a group of his Manchester United teammates for leaving their preseason friendly against Rayo Vallecano before full-time at the weekend, describing their behaviour as “unacceptable”.
United played host to the Spanish side at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon but pictures of Ronaldo leaving the stadium before the game had ended were later circulated online.
Ronaldo had played in the first half of the game but was substituted at halftime. Reports later claimed that other members of United’s squad had also left before full-time, but the club had no issue with their early departure.
Ten Hag, however, appears to have contradicted this, stating in an interview that he was unhappy with the players.
Speaking to Viaplay, the former Ajax boss was asked about the importance of timekeeping, given Ronaldo appeared to arrive and leave whenever he pleases.
Erik ten Hag on #mufc players leaving Old Trafford early: "I do not accept this in any way. This is unacceptable. We are a team, and then you stay until the game is over." #mulive [@viaplaysportnl] pic.twitter.com/KtYEtWIcS7
— utdreport (@utdreport) August 3, 2022
‘We are a team and you have to stay until the end’ – Erik ten Hag
“He was allowed to leave because of private reasons with his family, so what you are saying is absolutely not true,” Ten Hag responded, to which the interviewer added:
“But against Rayo, he left the game during the break.”
Ten Hag pointed out that it wasn’t just Ronaldo who had left the game early, prompting the reporter to ask if this was okay.
“Definitely not,” the Dutchman fired back.
He added: “I certainly don’t condone this. This is unacceptable. For everyone. We are a team and you have to stay until the end.”
As things stand, Ronaldo appears likely to stay at United for the season to come – despite expressing his wish to leave the club this summer. A move elsewhere has failed to materialise after a host of European clubs distanced themselves from a potential bid for the player.
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