Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest walkout on Manchester United marked two significant endings. The final curtain on supporters’ unconditional love for a pouting superstar who as an unused replacement could not stomach sticking around to celebrate a scintillating win over Tottenham. It is also the death knell of this 37-year-old being of relevance – to Erik ten Hag and the United side he seeks to build – as underlined by the manager dropping him from the squad for Saturday’s game at Chelsea.
The two are connected. Fans witnessed the finest display of their team in recent memory and saw a man who draws about £500,000 a week sulk because Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen and Anthony Elanga were preferred when Ten Hag made changes. They watched a footballer who enjoys unadulterated hero status due to his brilliance hurl it back in their faces by acting as if he can and should overshadow their club.
