After controversially departing the Manchester United bench early on Wednesday, Cristiano Ronaldo will play no part against Chelsea.
Cristiano Ronaldo will be omitted from the Manchester United squad to face Chelsea on Saturday following his early walkout during Wednesday’s win over Tottenham.
The experienced striker, an unused substitute, came through the tunnel before the final whistle at Old Trafford as Erik ten Hag’s side beat Spurs in a 2-0 win.
The Hag said after the game that he would “deal with” Ronaldo’s behavior on Thursday, and the Dutchman followed through with sanctions for the 37-year-old.
The Portugal captain will play no part in his side’s next game against Graham Potter’s Blues.
“Cristiano Ronaldo will not be part of Manchester United’s squad for this Saturday’s Premier League game against Chelsea,” the club’s official statement read.
“The rest of the team is fully focused on preparing for this game.”
It is the latest sign of Ronaldo’s discontent at Old Trafford, with last season’s much-hyped comeback turned sour after the club’s disappointing 2021-22 campaign.
Ronaldo was United’s top scorer last term with 24 goals in all competitions but the Red Devils could only finish sixth in the Premier League.
This led to speculation suggesting that Ronaldo wanted to leave the club, a story that eventually became a disruptive side effect during the Ten Hag’s first pre-season run.
Ronaldo did not join United on their pre-season tour of Australia and Thailand.
When he finally appeared in a friendly against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford, Ronaldo found himself at the center of controversy when he left the stadium early after being taken off at half-time.
The Hag defended Ronaldo on the occasion, saying it was “not right” for the striker to attract all the criticism when several players left early.
However, Thursday’s action shows that The Hag is willing to come down hard on the Portuguese superstar and the situation will further cloud Ronaldo’s future at the club.
Ronaldo has slipped down the pecking order since Ten Haga’s arrival, making just two Premier League starts this season and one goal in eight top-flight appearances.
United travel to Stamford Bridge just one point behind their hosts in fourth place.
