Roy Keane and Paul Scholes in full agreement on concerning Cristiano Ronaldo issue

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has been accused of disrespecting Cristiano Ronaldo by two of the Portuguese veteran’s former Old Trafford teammates this week

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Erik ten Hag previews Everton clash

Paul Scholes has agreed with Roy Keane after the Irishman claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo is being “disrespected” by Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.

Ronaldo, who played alongside Scholes and Keane during his first spell at the club, returned to Old Trafford last summer and finished the campaign as United’s leading goalscorer after plundering 24 goals in all competitions. However, the 37-year-old has been consigned to a bit-part role this year under Ten Hag after he unsuccessfully tried to quit the club in the summer.

But Ten Hag has come under intense scrutiny after he claimed that he didn’t bring Ronaldo on in United’s 6-3 defeat against Manchester City last weekend out of “respect” for the veteran and his illustrious career.

That stance infuriated Keane, who accused Ten Hag of disrespecting Ronaldo immediately after the thumping defeat. He told Sky Sports last weekend: “I think it’s ridiculous for a player of his stature, for Man United to just keep him [on the bench].

“Even today, could he have brought him on? Of course, he could’ve brought him on. So what if you’re four nil down? If you look at his goalscoring record, he has as good a chance as anyone of putting the ball in the back of the net. People are obsessed with the pressing side of the game… If you put the ball in the right areas, he’ll score goals.”

“Man United are showing disrespect to Ronaldo,” he added. “I think he should’ve been let go before the transfer window [closed].”

Just days after being snubbed for the Manchester derby, Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes in Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Nicosia Omonia on Thursday night.

Join the debate! Do you think Ten Hag is disrespecting Ronaldo this season? Let us know here.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been used sparingly by Erik ten Hag this season

But Scholes has now agreed with Keane and argued that Ten Hag’s decision to start Ronaldo in a secondary competition is even more disrespectful than the call he made in ignoring the Portugal star for one of the club’s biggest fixtures last week.

He told BT Sport: “I think it is almost more disrespectful playing him on a Thursday night in the Europa League. This man is a world superstar.

“I am not saying at 37 years of age he should be starting the games, the big games especially, but this is a competition that is hard to get yourself motivated for. I don’t like saying that, but it’s true when you are a big player at a big club like this.

“He has to change his mentality now, and because he is so strong mentally, it will be to score two goals and get himself in the team for the weekend [at Everton]”.