Graeme Souness has believed Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is taking “delight” in “humiliating” Cristiano Ronaldo in a staunch defence of the veteran forward.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was left out of United’s team to face Chelsea this weekend after being caught leaving Old Trafford before the final whistle sounded during Wednesday night’s 2-0 win against Tottenham.
Ronaldo then promptly left the stadium, rather than staying behind to celebrate with his teammates in the dressing room.
In an opinion column published in the ‘Daily Mail’, the former Benfica manager classified Ronaldo’s situation at the club as “desperate and sad”.
Souness insisted the 37-year-old is arguably the greatest player in history and is being disrespected by United.
“It is a desperate and sad situation in which Cristiano Ronaldo finds himself. He is the player who took Manchester United to its peak and scored important goals, which will live in everyone’s memory, but look at what that club reduced him to,” Souness said.
“What we saw at Old Trafford in the game against Tottenham was a player who was clearly angry, upset and deeply frustrated, stuck on a bench of substitutes while footballers he felt were not his superiors were on the pitch.
“For an extremely competitive player like him, this will have been agony. An experience he never imagined facing. I understand perfectly what he is feeling.” Souness added.
Ten Hag admitted on Friday what the British media had reported, exactly that it was Ronaldo who preferred not to play in the upcoming fixture against Tottenham on Wednesday.
“Yes, Cristiano Ronaldo refused to play against Tottenham. There had to be consequences. It is important for the attitude and mentality of the group.” Ten Hag said.
