Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag thinks that bringing Cristiano Ronaldo after the first half when the Red Devils were trailing 4-0 would have been a disrespect to the player. But former Manchester United player Roy Keane thinks the exact opposite.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the unused substitute in Manchester United’s loss against Manchester City. Erik ten Hag didn’t bring him up because of “respect for his big career”.
The Cityzens were leading the match 4-0 just after the first half. Old Trafford club fans started leaving the Etihad Stadium after the initial 45 minutes.
The Dutchman added: “The other thing was the advantage I could bring Martial, he needs the minutes but I don’t want to point it out like that.”
After the Manchester Derby, former Red Devils midfielder and current Sky Sports Pundit highly criticized Erik ten Hag for his treatment of the Portuguese striker. Cristiano Ronaldo was among the four unused substitutes including goalkeeper Tom Heaton.
What does Roy Keane have to say about Erik ten Hag and Cristiano Ronaldo?
Keane told Sky Sports: “I think Man United are showing disrespect to Ronaldo. I think he should have been let go before the [closing] of the window. Okay, you’re the manager, you need options but you don’t hold onto Ronaldo to sit on the bench. He’s one of the greatest players ever.”
According to Roy Keane, not bringing Cristiano Ronaldo on the ground is a much bigger disrespect to him than not bringing him. He also said that it’s Ridiculous that Erik ten Hag has used the Portuguese attacker only once or twice as a full-time player.
Roy Keane added “You see him in the warm-up today, you see him on the bench. He’ll be hurting badly, let me tell you, despite what he’s won in the game. And he’s won a few big prizes let me tell you.”
