‘That clown needs a wake up’ – England cricket legend Kevin Pietersen slams Erik ten Hag for Cristiano Ronaldo ‘disrespect’ and orders Manchester Unit
10/22/2022 04:42 AM
Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo’s touchline trot against Tottenham in midweek is having some far-reaching effects. And now England cricket hero Kevin Pietersen has fallen out with the club over the decision to make the 37-year-old train on his own after he refused to enter the fray as a substitute on Wednesday. Ronaldo walked down the tunnel and didn’t wait for his teammates at the final whistleRex There were still more than four minutes to play when Ronaldo made his exitRex The Portugal icon walked down the tunnel before the final whistle in a 2-0 win over Spurs and had reportedly left Old Trafford before his victorious teammates returned to the dressing room. On Thursday his punishment was meted out with the player out of the Red Devils’ game with Chelsea, and training individually to get his fitness up. Speaking ahead of the Stamford Bridge clash, Ten Hag said: “I am the manager, I am responsible for top spot culture here and I have to set standards and values and I have to control them. “In the team, we have values and standards and I have to control that. After [Rayo] Vallecano, I told him it was unacceptable but not [just] him, everyone. This is the second time, there are consequences. “We miss him tomorrow, it’s a miss for the squad but it’s important for the attitude and mentality of the group and now we have to focus on Chelsea as that is important.” But just when you thought the matter would cool off, a seemingly innocent Instagram post from the club provoked an angry response from Pietersen – a huge Ronaldo fan. Manchester United posted an image of Pietersen to promote the Twenty20 World Cup Even though United called Pietersen a hero, the ex-England captain remans furious about the treatment of Ronaldo Most read in Football STATEMENT 'It wasn't to be' - Gerrard speaks for the first time since Aston Villa sacking foodie The Rock stunned by Haaland's diet but has weird eating habits of his own REFUSAL Ten Hag's message to Ronaldo as he confirms he refused to play for United vs Spurs reaction Carragher opens up on former Liverpool teammate Gerrard's Aston Villa sacking NO MAU Ex-Villa boss tells Pochettino it's perfect job - but he's set to shun interest support Howe defends decision after Newcastle reveal Saudi Arabia winter training camp With the Twenty20 World Cup getting under way on Saturday in Australia, Manchester United posted a photo on Instagram of the former batter with the captain: “It’s T20 World Cup szn. “We’ve welcomed cricketing legends, played at iconic venues and met up with plenty of heroes over the years!” The former England captain had a surprisingly furious response, though, writing: “Please take my picture down? “I don’t want an association with a club that’s managed by a clown who is completely disrespecting the greatest footballer of our time. Ronaldo and Ten Hag aren’t seeing eye-to-eye at Old TraffordRex “[Cristiano Ronaldo] is the BOSS! That clown who no one will ever remember needs a wake up!” The post was subsequently removed. Most pundits and fans agree with Ten Hag over his handling of the situation but Pietersen is not alone in his critique of the Dutchman. Another Ronaldo superfan, and friend, Piers Morgan leapt to his defence and branded the Red Devils manager ‘pathetic’. Morgan, as always, stood up for Ronaldo “The way Ten Hag seems to delight in humiliating [Ronaldo] is pathetic,” Arsenal fan Morgan tweeted on Thursday morning. “Sticking the world’s greatest ever footballer on the bench, making him repeatedly warm up, then not even use him as a sub, is just staggeringly disrespectful to United’s top scorer last season.” OFFER OF THE DAY Bet365: Bet £10 Get £50 In Free Bets* – CLAIM HERE Open account offer. Bet £10 & Get £50 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply 18+ Begambleaware.org
