Cristiano Ronaldo will come up against Antonio Conte’s team on Wednesday evening – but had things gone differently they could have been on the same side.
Ronaldo’s Manchester United host Conte’s Tottenham at Old Trafford in the headline fixture of the midweek Premier League games. But Ronaldo’s place in the United starting XI for the game is far from secure after he was substituted in the 0-0 draw against Newcastle on Sunday.
Erik ten Hag started Antony Martial and Marcus Rashford in the previous two league matches and has generally taken a pragmatic view towards the Portuguese star. Ronaldo has started just two Premier League matches this season and has frequently cut a frustrated figure on the substitutes’ bench.