Ronaldo still ´important´ to Man Utd but Ten Hag reminds him who´s boss after sub snub

Cristiano Ronaldo can still have a Manchester United future but had to be punished for refusing to play as a substitute against Tottenham, Erik ten Hag said.

Manager Ten Hag held talks with Ronaldo on Thursday after his breaches of discipline in the Spurs game, which included disappearing down the tunnel before the game was finished.

The Dutch boss confirmed Ronaldo rejected his instruction to come off the bench on Wednesday, an action which has led to doubts over whether the 37-year-old Portuguese would play for United again.

Ronaldo blamed “the heat of the moment” for his actions in a post on Instagram on Thursday, which notably did not include an apology.

He has been pushed away from first-team duties for now and will play no part in Saturday’s Premier League game at Chelsea, with Ten Hag saying it was time for “reflection” on Ronaldo’s part.

Asked about his discussion with Ronaldo, Ten Hag said on Friday: “The talk, if you ask about that, it’s between Cristiano and me. It was 10 minutes.”

As for whether Ronaldo can be a part of United’s team in the future, Ten Hag said: “Yes. He remains an important part of the squad.”

He then confirmed the reports Ronaldo disobeyed his orders to play as a substitute in United’s 2-0 victory, which may be considered a much more serious infraction than leaving the stadium early.

Ten Hag stressed he would rule with a firm hand when required.

“I’m the manager, I’m responsible for the top sport culture here, and I have to set standards and failures and I have to control them,” Ten Hag said.

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A post shared by Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano)

This was Ronaldo’s second early walkout from a game during Ten Hag’s reign, having also left the ground before full-time in a pre-season game against Rayo Vallecano, when he played the first half but then departed Old Trafford.

“After Rayo Vallecano I told them it was unacceptable, but he wasn’t the only one,” Ten Hag said. “That is for everyone, so the second time there will be consequences and that is what we did.

“We miss him tomorrow, and that is a miss for us, for the squad. But I think it’s important for the attitude, for the mentality, from the group. Now we have to focus on Chelsea, that is the most important.”

Asked what his actions might achieve, as Ronaldo trained away from United team-mates on Friday, Ten Hag said: “I think reflection for him, but also for everyone else.”

Reports have suggested Ronaldo will be fined two weeks’ wages by United.

Ten Hag said: “I set a warning at the start of the season and the next time there has to be consequence. When you’re living together, playing together – and football’s a team sport – you have to fulfil certain standards and I have to control it.”