Cristiano Ronaldo must apologise to Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag in crisis meeting or stay in exile for Sheriff clash
CRISTIANO RONALDO’S place in this week’s Manchester United Europa League team is hanging by a thread.
Ronaldo will arrive at the club’s Carrington training base on Tuesday for showdown talks with manager Erik Ten Hag after being axed at the weekend for the game at Chelsea.
And unless he shows some contrition and agrees to abide by Ten Hag’s rules then he will be continue to be exiled going into Thursday’s clash with FC Sheriff.
Ten Hag was furious after Ronaldo refused to come on as a substitute during Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Tottenham last Wednesday.
Ronaldo walked down the tunnel before the end of the game and left Old Trafford.
Ten Hag ordered him to train on his own and left him out of the squad for Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge and is understood to have fined him two weeks wages.
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All the players were given Monday off, including Ronaldo, so any talks between him and the manager have been delayed.
But Ten Hag is not messing about as he tries to steer United on a course back towards being serious contenders at the top end of the Premier League.
He does not want the Ronaldo sideshow deflecting from what he is trying to do.
Ronaldo was left out of last Wednesday’s starting line-up against Spurs having been subbed in the second-half of the previous game, a goalless draw with Newcastle.
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He had made his displeasure clear, shaking his head as he was replaced by Marcus Rashford.
After being dropped to face Tottenham, he refused his manager’s orders to come on in the second-half.
Ten Hag said it was “bad behaviour” and emphasised that despite Ronaldo’s achievements he cannot be afforded special treatment.
Ten Hag said: “He has achieved a lot in his career. It is so brilliant.
“But he has to be aware that you get judged by the moment and how you are acting today. In top sport, it is about today — it is not about age or reputation.
“When you have top sport, you get judged by the moment and how you act. That is normal.
“Everyone has to be aware of it and not just Cristiano. We have to be aware of it as a team, a manager and a club.”
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United take on Macedonians Sheriff in Europa League Group E on Thursday needing a point to qualify for the next round.
They will be looking for a win to take their challenge for top spot with Real Sociedad into the last game against the current group leaders in Spain.