Paul Scholes has sympathised with Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese superstar refused to come on in Manchester United's 2-0 Premier League win against Tottenham.
Ronaldo, 37, stormed down the tunnel at Old Trafford during the game against Spurs nine days ago and was widely criticised for his actions. United boss Erik ten Hag dropped the player for their 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last Saturday evening.
Ronaldo was back in United's starting XI against Sheriff on Thursday evening and scored in the 3-0 Europa League victory. Several United icons have tried to excuse Ronaldo's actions - including Scholes, who experienced a similar episode during his playing days.
Scholes refused to come off the bench for legendary United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in a League Cup game more than 20 years ago. Although he accepts he was in the wrong, the ex-midfielder believes players make bad decisions in the heat of the moment.
"At the time, it is difficult to explain your emotions," Scholes told BT Sport. "Unfortunately, this week it has been mentioned this week about myself and it is a low point in my career. I really regret it and it was so wrong to do, but I do sympathise with Cristiano.
"We know he did the wrong thing, but in my situation we played against Liverpool on the Sunday and had a League Cup game against Arsenal on the Monday, and I was left out of the Liverpool game.
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"I was upset and not happy about it and usually when I got left out I wasn’t one to complain, but this incident in particular it got to me. The manager didn’t bring me on and your head goes as the game goes on, and that is the same thing that happened with Cristiano.
"He would have been thinking he could have scored three or four goals against Tottenham, and the more the game goes on, the red mist comes and you are not thinking properly. To ask him to come on with two or three minutes left, he must be thinking, 'Are you taking the mickey out of me?'"
Ronaldo's future at Old Trafford hangs in the balance following his antics against Tottenham. Although he's back in the fold, there are rumours he could leave the club in the January transfer window. The veteran forward's contract expires at the end of this season.
Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time after winning the Ballon d'Or five times. He's scored more than 800 goals for club and country and won countless honours - including seven league titles, five Champions League and the Euros.
Scholes and other United icons got the chance to see Ronaldo in action during his first spell at Old Trafford between 2003 and 2009. Rio Ferdinand and Roy Keane are among those ex-stars to defend Ronaldo's recent strop in the media.
Keane told Sky Sports: "He's had enough, he's lost his head... He's a human being, he's got flaws, he's frustrated he's not got opportunities, he's had enough. He's walked down the tunnel, players have done worse at Man Utd... He has to take his punishment."
