Roy Keane refused to criticise Cristiano Ronaldo following his decision to not step off the bench during Manchester United's 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Wednesday night - but warned that his future at the club could be as good as over.
Leading 2-0 with just a few minutes left on the clock, Ronaldo, who was dropped to the bench following the goalless draw with Newcastle United a few days earlier, refused to come on, instead choosing to head back down the tunnel and into the dressing room. He left the stadium before his teammates had even returned to the dressing room following the full-time whistle.
Manager Erik ten Hag took disciplinary action against Ronaldo, leaving him out of the squad for Saturday's trip to Chelsea and forcing him to train alone at the club's Carrington training base on Friday. However, the Dutchman has reiterated that the former Juventus man remains part of his plans moving forwards.
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Former United midfielder Keane, however, did not criticise Ronaldo for his controversial actions against Spurs, choosing to almost sympathise with him over his lack of game time this term. The 37-year-old has started just twice in the Premier League so far this season.
"The manager's made a decision to leave him out," Keane told Sky Sports. "Ronaldo didn't want to go on, even if it was the 87th, 88th minute.
"He's walked down the tunnel and been punished for it. I try to see if from the player's point of view; he's had enough, he's lost his head and I think it's been brewing.
"I still think he's a human being. He's got flaws, he's probably frustrated at not getting opportunities and had enough. He's walked down the tunnel, but I think worse has happened at Manchester United."
Although Keane expressed sympathy towards Ronaldo, pointing towards his lack of opportunities so far this term, he admitted that he is not sure whether the five-time Ballon d'Or winner still has a future at Old Trafford.
The former United captain continued: "He has to take his punishment. Is there a way back for him? I'm not sure.
"I think his behaviour over the last week... I'd be more worried if he was on the bench every week laughing his head off, not caring. I think the guy cares.
"This game's full of bluffers - he's not one of them. He loves the club, he needs to play, he wants to play and people saying he's not the player he was ten years ago, of course he's not, but he was still their leading goalscorer last season.
"He went to Man United to a bad Manchester United team, really bad and was still their leading goalscorer. The last few weeks he's been frustrated.
"I think they asked the manager in the press conference, 'did Ronaldo refuse to go on?' But they should've asked him when was he 'going to put him on?' Late in the game, two or three minutes to go? He's got to take his medicine.
"Will he come back to the team before the World Cup? I don't see it."
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