‘Something brewing’ between Ten Hag and 342-game star at Old Trafford

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has realised his side’s best performances come without Cristiano Ronaldo in the side and ‘something is brewing’ between the pair at Old Trafford, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

A late Casemiro header allowed the Red Devils to seal a point against Chelsea at the weekend, but Ronaldo was not involved in the matchday squad.

What’s the latest news involving Ronaldo?

According to the Daily Mail, ten Hag axed Ronaldo from his squad for the trip to Stamford Bridge after he refused to come off the bench as Manchester United registered a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur last week.

The report suggests the 37-year-old, who has been named in the starting line-up just six times this season, headed down the tunnel in the 89th minute and left Old Trafford before the final whistle.

Ahead of the clash with Chelsea, Ronaldo was forced to train on his own at Carrington and ten Hag, who is responsible for discipline in the first-team, has the full backing of the club’s hierarchy.

Although the forward took to social media to claim he acted in ‘the heat of the moment’ and insisted he will ‘keep working hard’ behind the scenes.

Ronaldo has made 342 appearances over the course of his two spells with Manchester United, scoring 144 goals along the way.

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What has Dharmesh Sheth said about Ronaldo?

Sheth believes, since the campaign got underway, Manchester United have performed better when Ronaldo has not been in the starting line-up.

The Sky Sports reporter feels ten Hag prefers Marcus Rashford to the Portuguese star and has hinted there has been a clash behind the scenes.

Sheth told GIVEMESPORT: “You are starting to get the impression now that Erik ten Hag is seeing his best performances at United when Ronaldo isn’t in the team.

“People will argue that he was their top scorer last season – yes, he was – and people are always arguing Ronaldo would have put away the chances that Rashford has had.

“The other side of the coin is would Manchester United have performed the way they did against Tottenham had Ronaldo been in the team, given Erik ten Hag had always said he picked Rashford ahead of Ronaldo for that game because of the pressing qualities he possesses? It just looks like something’s brewing there.”

When did Cristiano Ronaldo make his debut for Manchester United?

2002


2003


2005


2007

Who could Ronaldo join in January?

It is understood that Manchester United have received no interest in Ronaldo despite making him available on a free transfer.

If a suitor is not found by super-agent Jorge Mendes, the Red Devils are reportedly willing to cut their losses and let him go without securing a transfer fee at the turn of the year.

But a move to a Premier League rival could be on the cards as Chelsea are deliberating whether to reignite their interest in Ronaldo.

Mendes held talks with the capital club’s co-owner Todd Boehly over a potential move during the summer, but Ronaldo remained at Old Trafford beyond the September 1 deadline.

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