Cristiano Ronaldo is said to be at odds with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag as the Portugal forward's struggles continue.
The 37-year-old has lost his starting place at Old Trafford under the new manager, featuring only sporadically in the league. He remains stuck on 699 club career goals, with only one of those coming this season, and drew another blank against Omonia on Thursday night despite playing the entirety of the 3-2 Europa League victory.
Ronaldo's disagreement with Ten Hag came to a head in the Manchester derby, when last season's top scorer was an unused substitute in a 6-3 defeat. The forward had looked to leave over the summer, only for no move to materialise, and could yet find himself leaving Old Trafford in January.
After United's defeat at the Etihad Stadium, Ten Hag claimed he left Ronaldo on the bench "out of respect for his big career". The former Juventus striker has started just once in the league this season, and has played just 80 top-flight minutes since completing the full 90 in an August defeat at Brentford.
Now, according to The Times, the forward is 'at loggerheads' with the manager. He is said to have criticised tactics and training methods under the new boss, who arrived after leading Ajax to last season's Eredivisie title.
The report cites an anonymous Champions League winning coach, who has described Ronaldo as the "biggest" player he has worked with. “People need to understand who he is, the moment he is in his career, what he represents for a group as a player, and what he can give to you as a player," the unnamed individual said.
"If you understand that I don’t think in his team there will be players with more ambition to win. That is fundamental in a player’s career. He is the example as a professional. You always prefer to have these players with you and not in the opposition team.”
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Ahead of United's Sunday night game against Everton, Ronaldo's former teammates Paul Scholes and Roy Keane have had their say on the situation. Both played with Ronaldo during his first spell at Old Trafford, and the pair are in agreement about his treatment under Ten Hag.
"Man United are showing disrespect to Ronaldo," Keane said. "I think he should've been let go before the transfer window [closed]."
Scholes, meanwhile, argued the start against Omonia was more disrespectful than the lack of involvement against City. "This man is a world superstar," the former England midfielder said.
"I am not saying at 37 years of age he should be starting the games, the big games especially, but this is a competition that is hard to get yourself motivated for. I don't like saying that, but it's true when you are a big player at a big club like this."
