Ralf Rangnick Reveals What He Told Ronaldo After Striker Fumed Following Substitution vs Brentford

Ralf Rangnick Reveals What He Told Ronaldo After Striker Fumed Following Substitution vs Brentford

Fred Kennedy
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:54 PM
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  • Cristiano Ronaldo made a return to the Man United squad against Brentford on Wednesday night
  • However, he did not last 90 minutes as he was withdrawn in the 71st minute in favour of Maguire
  • The decision left Ronaldo angry as he asked the coaching staff why they had to sub him off

Ralf Rangnick has revealed his exchange with Cristiano Ronaldo after the striker was left fuming following his substitution against Brentford.

Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick substitutes Cristiano Ronaldo for Harry Maguire against Brentford. (Photo by Ben Stansall)
Cristiano Ronaldo was substituted in the 71st minute of Man United's 3-1 win over Brentford. Photo by Ben Stansall.
Source: Getty Images

Ronaldo was making a return to the team for the first time in a couple of days, having missed two of United's last fixtures with a hip injury.

The Portuguese talisman could not last 90 minutes on the pitch as he was withdrawn in the 71st minute to pave way for Harry Maguire.

However, the 36-year-old was unimpressed with the decision and reacted angrily as he made his way to the bench.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was seen throwing his coat to the floor and asked the coaching staff "why me" as he sat on the steps.

Rangnick was later seen sitting next to the striker and appeared to explain to him why he had to withdraw him.

Speaking in his post-match interview, the German tactician revealed he told Ronaldo the decision to substitute him was in the interest of the team.

"The only reaction I got was him asking me, ‘why me, why did you take me off?’. I said to him, ‘listen, I have to take the decision in the interests of the team and the club," Rangnick divulged.
"We had exactly the same situation five days ago at Villa Park. Being 2-0 up, 15 minutes to play. Of course, we didn’t want to make the same mistake again," he added.

The United interim boss further defended the tactical move and insisted there is no bad blood between him and the former Real Madrid ace.

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Fred Kennedy
Editor - Europe Team