Cristiano Ronaldo: Roy Keane defends Man Utd legend after actions v Tottenham
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Roy Keane has passionately defended Cristiano Ronaldo after he refused to come on in Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in midweek.
The Portuguese striker walked off the field and to the dressing room in the 89th minute.
Erik ten Hag promised to deal with Ronaldo after the game and he fulfilled his promise.
Ronaldo was made to train with the U21s and dropped for United’s squad to face Chelsea on Saturday evening.
Keane gave his thoughts about Ronaldo’s actions ahead of the match at Stamford Bridge and he refused to be too critical of the 37-year-old.
VIDEO: Keane refuses to criticise Ronaldo after refusing to come on vs Spurs
“The manager’s made a decision to leave him out,” Keane told Sky Sports, per Manchester Evening News. “Ronaldo didn’t want to go on, even if it was the 87th, 88th minute.
“He’s walked down the tunnel and been punished for it. I try to see if from the player’s point of view; he’s had enough, he’s lost his head and I think it’s been brewing.
“I still think he’s a human being. He’s got flaws, he’s probably frustrated at not getting opportunities and had enough. He’s walked down the tunnel, but I think worse has happened at Manchester United.
“He has to take his punishment. Is there a way back for him? I’m not sure.
“I think his behaviour over the last week… I’d be more worried if he was on the bench every week laughing his head off, not caring. I think the guy cares.
“This game’s full of bluffers – he’s not one of them. He loves the club, he needs to play, he wants to play and people saying he’s not the player he was ten years ago, of course he’s not, but he was still their leading goalscorer last season.
“He went to Man United to a bad Manchester United team, really bad and was still their leading goalscorer. The last few weeks he’s been frustrated.
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“I think they asked the manager in the press conference, ‘did Ronaldo refuse to go on?’ But they should’ve asked him when was he ‘going to put him on?’ Late in the game, two or three minutes to go? He’s got to take his medicine.
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“Will he come back to the team before the World Cup? I don’t see it.”
On United’s win against Spurs, he said: “United’s best performance in years? Absolute rubbish, Spurs were terrible. United beat Spurs last year at home and Ronaldo got a hat-trick. He was more than capable of getting onto the pitch and making a difference.”
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