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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Samuel Luckhurst

Erik ten Hag explains why he dropped Cristiano Ronaldo for Manchester United vs Chelsea

Erik ten Hag said there had to be "consequences" for Cristiano Ronaldo after he refused to come on for Manchester United in their 2-0 win over Tottenham.

Ronaldo warmed up and was due to emerge in the 87th minute but Anthony Elanga and Christian Eriksen were sent on instead. Ronaldo disappeared down the tunnel in the 90th minute and has been omitted from the squad against Chelsea on Saturday.

Ten Hag admonished Ronaldo for leaving Old Trafford before full-time when he had played the first-half of the friendly draw with Rayo Vallecano in July and stressed that his second transgression warranted consequences.

Read more: Ronaldo has underestimated Erik ten Hag too many times

Ronaldo reported for training at United's Carrington training complex at 8.30am on Friday morning and trained separately with fitness coaches.

"What the talk - if you ask about that - is between Cristiano and me," Ten Hag said. "The statement is also clear, I think. He remains an important player in the squad.

"I am head manager, I am responsible for the top sport 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.

"So after Rayo Vallecano, I told him it was unacceptable but he was not the only one, but that is for everyone, so when it is the second time, that will have 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 and that is the most important thing.

"I think it will have a (time for) reflection for him, but also for everyone else, I sent a warning at the start of the season, next time there have to be consequences otherwise when you are living together when you are playing together, football is a team sport and you have to fulfil certain standards. And I have to control it.

"I understand there are questions about that but at the same time it's about Chelsea, we have a big game to play, my focus is on the game, the focus of the staff and the players is on that game. We have to win that game and have the concentration to play our best."

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