Sharp as a tack.
Manchester United legend Roy Keane suggested that he was glad Cristiano Ronaldo ‘didn’t leave early’ during the Red Devils’ loss to Brighton and Hove Albion.
The home side started the game slowly before things got worse on the half-hour mark as Pascal Gross converted. He slotted the ball into the back of the net after it was flashed across the face of United’s goal, giving Graham Potter’s side a deserved 1-0 lead.
Brighton doubled their advantage nine minutes later after Gross grabbed his second of the match. He tapped home from close range after David de Gea could only palm Adam Lallana’s shot back into danger.
IT'S TWO!! Pascal Groß is there again!! 2️⃣
Brighton are currently blowing Man Utd away!! 😲 pic.twitter.com/HoHn9pxyVL
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 7, 2022
After the away side made it 2-0, United boss Erik ten Hag ordered Ronaldo go out onto the touchline and warm-up, with the Portuguese international being brought on just after half time.
United got back into the game after Alexis Mac Allister scored an unfortunate own goal following a mistake from goalkeeper Robert Sánchez.
It's messy but it counts – Man Utd pull one back! 🔴
Game on 👀👊 pic.twitter.com/n8l3JG0eix
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 7, 2022
However, Brighton were able to see the remainder of the game out as Ten Hag suffered defeat in his first Premier League match as United boss.
Keane jokes about Ronaldo ‘leaving’
During the match, the camera panned to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner sat on the bench, which led to Keane – who was working as a pundit for Sky Sports – cracking a joke about Ronaldo leaving early.
“Well, I’m glad he didn’t leave early! He’s obviously a good option,” said Keane.
🗣️ "I'm glad he didn't leave early"
Roy Keane is box office 😂 pic.twitter.com/pqu2m1VY11
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 7, 2022
Ronaldo and his teammates slammed for ‘unacceptable’ behaviour
The Irishman was referring to an incident last weekend where Ronaldo, and a number of other first-team players, left Old Trafford early during the Red Devils’ pre-season match against Rayo Vallecano.
Ten Hag criticised Ronaldo and a group of his United teammates for leaving their friendly before full-time, 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.
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
Ten Hag, however, appeared to have contradicted this, stating in an interview that he was unhappy with the players.
