Cristiano Ronaldo has been told his "oversized ego" is "polluting" the Manchester United dressing room after his latest temper tantrum prompted manager Erik ten Hag into action.
The 37-year-old forward refused to come off the bench during last week's win over Tottenham before storming down the Old Trafford tunnel minutes before the end of the game. Ten Hag dealt with the matter by temporarily suspending Ronaldo from the first-team fold and banning him from Saturday night's clash with Chelsea.
Speaking before that fixture with the Blues, which ended in a 1-1 draw, Ten Hag explained his decision by insisting: "I am the manager, I am responsible for the 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 Vallecano, I told him it was unacceptable but not 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."
Ten Hag has been praised by many for the calm and composed way he has handled the saga, but ex-Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit wasn't quite as measured with his scathing assessment of Ronaldo on the Rothen S’enflamme show in France.
"He tires everyone: the supporters, his teammates… They don’t want him anymore in the locker room, he pollutes everyone so much,” the ex-Gunner claimed.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Is Petit's assessment of the Ronaldo situation fair? Comment below
"He has an exceptional career, when he stops we will all be unanimous in saying it, but his behaviour is so individualistic. His message yesterday on social media. You know you don’t like what’s going on with your club, you can’t stand your coach Ten Hag anymore, you feel like you are disrespected for what you have done, but your status no longer exists!
"You are no longer the same player, you have been demoted, you have suffered a downgrade, but you do not accept it because your ego is so oversized. Say it real! It can’t be defensible."
While many would agree with Petit's criticisms, Ten Hag has already confirmed that Ronaldo would return to the first-team following the game at Stamford Bridge.
Pressed for comment on just how long the five-time Ballon d'Or winner would be exiled, the United boss told Sky Sports: "Yes, I think it [his suspension] is only for this weekend, this match and then we will talk and we will see."
United looked blunt in attack at Stamford Bridge and were only able to salvage a point courtesy of a looping header from midfielder Casemiro in the last knockings of the game.
Ronaldo's two Premier League goals this term hardly provide evidence to the claim some are making that the Red Devils would have fared better with him up top.
