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Rob DawsonReporter
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo refuse to replace against Tottenham Hotspur.
Ronaldo was seen leaving the bench before wrapping up a 2-0 win over Spurs on Wednesday and then leaving the stadium before Ten Hag and the entire United team returned to the dressing room.
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Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Ten Hag confirmed Ronaldo refused to come on as a late substitute in the game, prompting managed to remove the 37-year-old player from the team face to face Chelsea on Saturday.
When asked if Ronaldo would refuse to come on as a substitute against Tottenham, Ten Hag replied: “Yes”.
Ten Hag added that Ronaldo was warned about his behavior after he was spotted leaving Old Trafford before the end of pre-season, friendly with Rayo Vallecano in July.
“I’m the manager and I’m responsible for the top sports culture here and I have to set standards and values and I have to control them,” he added.
“We are a team and in the team we have values and standards and I have to control that. After Rayo Vallecano, I said [him] It’s unacceptable but he’s not the only one, it’s everyone’s so the second time there will be consequences.
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“I sent a warning at the beginning of the season, next time there must be consequences. Football is a team sport and you have to fulfill certain standards. And I have to control it.”
Ronaldo trained alone with a fitness coach on Friday and will not be in the squad for Saturday’s game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
He is expected to return to the main group on Monday ahead of the Europa League game against FC Sheriff at Old Trafford on Thursday and Ten Hag said. Portugal forward is still “an important player.”
Ten Hag said: “Negotiations took place between Cristiano and me. Anthony Martial against Chelsea as he continues to recover from a back injury.
“We will miss him tomorrow. It is a shortcoming for the team but what is important is the attitude and mentality of the whole team and now we have to focus on Chelsea because that is very important. He’s still an important part of the team.”
