Cristiano Ronaldo ‘p***ed off’ when he doesn’t play for Manchester United but Erik ten Hag insists Portuguese star is ‘happy’ and ‘training well’ afte

05/10/2022 16:37

Erik ten Hag has admitted Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘p***ed off’ when he’s not playing for Manchester United. The 37-year-old forward is regarded as one of United’s greatest-ever players but has fallen down the pecking order under the new boss this season. Ronaldo has found gametime hard to come by under Ten HagGetty The Portuguese star has started just once in the Premier League this termGetty Ronaldo has started just one match for the Red Devils in the Premier League this term, with his most notable exclusion coming in the Manchester derby. The Portuguese star was an unused substitute in the 6-3 defeat at the Etihad Stadium, a decision that Ten Hag revealed was due to his ‘respect’ for the star. However, speaking in his latest press conference, the Dutch head coach revealed that while Ronaldo is happy at the club, he’s not too impressed when he’s left out of the starting XI. Speaking ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash against Cypriot outfit Omonia, Ten Hag said about Ronaldo: “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. Most read in Football CLASS Video shows Ronaldo showing respect to Man City despite being 'disrespected' himself UCL Liverpool 2-0 Rangers LIVE REACTION: Klopp says huge win 'was exactly what we needed' UCL Frankfurt 0-0 Tottenham LIVE REACTION: Son and Kane wasteful as tie ends goalless sad to see Klopp, Henderson and Trent murals defaced ahead of Liverpool vs Rangers dig Man United's Antony slammed for habit that 'would annoy the hell' out of Van der Vaart ISSUE Souness fears Klopp has repeated Shankly mistake with Liverpool miles away from title Ten Hag said he didn’t play Ronaldo ‘out of respect for his career’Getty “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 certainly seemed to be a good mood during pre-Europa League training on Wednesday, as he was left in hysterics after nutmegging teammate Lisandro Martinez. Cristiano enjoyed that nutmeg on Lisandro Martinez #MUFC pic.twitter.com/Px35y4ivsX— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) October 5, 2022 Ronaldo will surely be hoping to break his way back into Ten Hag’s plansAFP Asked to clarify again Ronaldo was left on the bench against Man City, Ten Hag added: “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.”