Erik ten Hag Addresses Reports Ronaldo Refused to Come On Against Tottenham With Dire Warning

• Erik ten Hag has confirmed Cristiano Ronaldo refused to come off the bench in the match against Tottenham
• Ronaldo cut a visibly agitated figure towards the end of the game as he walked back to the dressing room before full time
• He opted to leave the grounds without congratulating his side on one of their best performances this season
• The 37-year-old has since been exiled from first-team training and will conduct sessions on his own

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has spoken publicly for the first time on the debacle involving Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese superstar made headlines for all the wrong reasons yet again, as cameras picked him walking off during United’s clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, October 19.

United have subsequently suspended Ronaldo from the side’s weekend trip to Chelsea, and the 37-year-old will also be forced to train alone as a result of his actions.

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On Thursday, reports were rife that Ronaldo had the chance to come on late in the game against Antonio Conte’s side but refused to.

Ten Hag confirmed the reports in a pre-match press conference on Friday, as he answered 'yes' when directly asked the daunting question.

“What the talk - if you ask about that - is between Cristiano and me. The statement is also clear, I think. He remains an important player in the squad,” ten Hag said as quoted by TalkSport.

As reported on by the Mirror, Ronaldo also did a similar thing during pre-season in a game against Rayo Vallecano.

“I am the manager, I am responsible for the culture here and I have to set standards and values and I have to control them,” ten Hag added.

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“In the team, we have values and standards and I have to control that. After Vallecano, I told him it was unacceptable."

Ronaldo arrives to train alone

Earlier, Sports Brief highlighted Ronaldo’s plight as he arrived at Carrington training grounds on Friday to train alone.

It was confirmed Ronaldo would not be part of the squad to face Chelsea in the weekend fixture, as he remains suspended for his actions days earlier.

The 37-year-old hinted he was willing to take his punishment, in a sentimental Instagram statement late on Thursday.