Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville predicted that Cristiano Ronaldo would struggle to fit in at the club under Erik ten Hag before the Premier League season had even begun.
Ronaldo has been dropped from United's squad to play against Chelsea this weekend after the 37-year-old was seen walking down the tunnel at Old Trafford before the full-time whistle had been blown, during the 2-0 win over Tottenham on Wednesday night. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner then promptly left the stadium, rather than staying behind to celebrate with his teammates in the dressing room.
Ronaldo has since acknowledged the incident in a message on social media, yet Ten Hag will be eager not to let the situation the distract his players ahead of a challenging fixture in West London on Saturday afternoon.
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After failing to make an impact during the 0-0 draw against Newcastle, Ronaldo was dropped from Ten Hag's starting XI for the win over Spurs. Marcus Rashford played as a central striker, with the Dutchman opting to use Jadon Sancho on the left wing, with Antony cutting in from the right onto his favoured left foot.
The tactical set-up was something that Neville foresaw being an issue for Ronaldo under Ten Hag, as the former United defender highlighted his concern before his old teammate had even kicked a ball under their new manager.
Neville told The Overlap : “There’s also a style thing. I was watching some of the clips of the goals United scored on the tour. Some of the goals were brilliant. They’re not easy goals to score at any time of the season. I’m not sure they could score those goals and play that way that Ten Hag wants, in terms of the high press, with Ronaldo. I’m not sure he fits in.
“Every press conference is obliterated by the Ronaldo issue. I think, looking back, all the great managers, if a player becomes the dominating factor – there’s only one thing that has to happen. We all know it.
“I woke up this morning, that weather in Manchester was horrendous. It was rain everywhere. I remember him coming into the dressing room 15 years ago and saying ‘This is s***’. I remember him saying that 15 years ago when he was the best player in the world.”
Gary Neville, speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, in partnership with Sky Bet.
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