England cricket legend Kevin Pietersen has labelled Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag a 'clown' following the treatment of Cristiano Ronaldo. United put in arguably their most impressive performance of the season in midweek, after seeing off fellow top four rivals Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 at Old Trafford.
As is often the case though, United were still unable to escape controversy as star man Ronaldo was seen storming down the touchline before heading into the Old Trafford tunnel with two minutes of normal time remaining. Rumours circulated that the 37-year-old had refused to come on as a substitute after once again being left on the sidelines by ten Hag.
And, after a club statement confirmed Ronaldo would not be part of the match day squad for Saturday's trip to Chelsea, the Dutch manager admitted that the rumours surrounding his striker's sub snubbing were true.
Alluding to the fact this was not the first time Ronaldo had left early, after doing similar in a friendly against Rayo Vallecano this year, ten Haag said: "What [happened in] the talk is between Cristiano and me. The [club] statement is also clear.
"I am the manager, I'm responsible for the top sport culture here and I have to set standards and values, and I have to control them. We are in a team. After Rayo Vallecano I said it's unacceptable but he wasn't the only one.
"That is for everyone, when it's the second time it will have consequence. That is now what we did. We'll miss him tomorrow, it's a miss for the squad but I think it's important for the attitude, mentality for the group."
In the midst of the saga, former cricket star Pietersen has weighed his point in the argument. With the T20 Cricket World Cup underway in Australia, United's official Instagram account shared photos of a number of cricketing legends they have welcomed at Old Trafford down the years - one being Pietersen.
Do you think Ronaldo deserved to be dropped from the match day squad? Let us know in the comments section below.
However, asking for his photo to be removed the ex-England man exploded into a huge rant in the comments section in defence of Ronaldo. Pietersen wrote: "Please take my picture down?
"I don't want an association with a club that's managed by a clown who is completely disrespecting the greatest footballer of our time." Labelling the forward 'the boss', and continuing his attack on the manager, he added: "@Cristiano is the BOSS! That clown who no one will ever remember needs a wake up!"
The post appeared to be edited to comply with Pietersen's request, with the photo of him no longer appearing on the post after his outburst.
