Man United legends react to Erik ten Hag's decision to drop Cristiano Ronaldo vs Chelsea

Manchester United legends have reacted to Erik ten Hag's decision to drop legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo from United's squ for ir next game against Chelsea. Among those who have shared ir opinion on matter are former Red Devil stars Gary Neville, Peter Schmeichel, Rio Ferdinand, and Patrice Evra. While Neville and Schmeichel criticised Ronaldo for his on-field antic that got him suspended in first place, Ferdinand urged Ten Hag to release Portuguese star from his contract if he doesn't see him as a starter in team. 

"It's first time I can say that I am disappointed with him. Normally I back him, I understand his situation. But we are in transition. Manchester United are now five managers down ro since Alex Ferguson. We have got Erik ten Hag in now who has very clear ideas about way he wants to play football. We need understanding and time from everyone. We don’t need distractions like that, and that’s a disappointment I would say," Schmeichel told BBC Rio 5 Live. 

"If he's fit you start him and I hope he stays, I'm a little bit disappointed in him. I'm disappointed, to be fair he's letting manager go into those press conferences, Cristiano now is a good age, he's been greatest player in world alongside [Lionel] Messi for last 10 years. He's got all experience in world, would it be too much to ask him to do an interview to clear things up and what he's thinking?" Neville said. 

"My only thought could be that Cristiano is being saved for weekend against Chelsea, that's only that I see it, logically. He didn't play today, Ronaldo would be absolutely fuming with that naturally, I wouldn't expect anything different from him. big problem that Erik ten Hag has got is, coming up to this next window, he has got to think very carefully about what he does. If he doesn't see Cristiano Ronaldo as a starter in his team more often than not, I think he has to release him from contract," Ferdinand said. 

"I would have to start Ronaldo. One interview from Ten Hag after game against Manchester City and why he didn’t bring him on was because he respected his character. If he respected his character, he would surely have to play him and play him every time," Evra said. 

Ronaldo-Ten Hag fallout

fallout between Ronaldo and Ten Hag happened during Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday. According to Ten Hag, Ronaldo refused to come on as a substitute in game and was seen leaving dugout before final whistle to show his dissent. As a result of his behaviour, Ronaldo was axed from United's squ for ir next game against Chelsea on Saturday.  

"I have to set standards and values, and control m. I set a warning at start of season, and next time re has to be consequences. Orwise when you are living toger, when you are playing toger — and football is a team sport — you have to fulfill certain standards and I have to control it," Ten Hag said about incident. 

This was not first time when Ronaldo left a United match early to show his dissent. Earlier this year, 37-year-old did same thing during a friendly match against Rayo Vallecano after being substituted at half-time.

Ronaldo issues statement

After latest incident on Wednesday night, Ronaldo took to his official Instagram handle to issue a statement, where he described it as something that happened in heat of moment, ding that he will continue supporting his teammates and be rey for everything in any given game. 

"As I’ve always done throughout my career, I try to live and play respectfully towards my colleagues, my versaries and my coaches. That hasn’t changed. I haven’t changed. I’m same person and same professional that I’ve been for last 20 years playing elite football, and respect has always played a very important role in my decision-making process," Ronaldo said. 

"I started very young, older and most experienced players examples were always very important to me. refore, later on, I’ve always tried to set example myself for youngsters that grew in all teams that I’ve represented. Unfortunately that’s not always possible and sometimes heat of moment get’s best of us. Right now, I just feel that I have to keep working hard in Carrington, support my teammates and be rey for everything in any given game. Giving in to pressure is not an option. It never was. This is Manchester United, and united we must stand. Soon we’ll be toger again," he ded. 

Image: AP