Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has claimed that Erik ten Hag doesn't 'respect' Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Dutchman dropped Ronaldo for United's 2-0 win over Tottenham and then left him as an unused substitute throughout the 90 minutes.
The Red Devils' victory, which was the best performance of the Ten Hag era so far, was overshadowed when Ronaldo reacted to not being brought on by disappearing down the tunnel in the 89th minute, and Sportsmail understands he may even have left the stadium before the match finished.
Ronaldo received widespread criticism for his actions, but United legend Evra defended him - insisting he was unhappy with the treatment of his former teammate at the club.
'I would have to start him (Ronaldo),' Evra told Amazon Prime.
'One interview from Ten Hag after the game against Manchester City and why he didn’t bring him on was because he respected his character.
'If he respected his character, he would surely have to play him and play him every time'
Fellow pundit Thierry Henry also claimed United must find a solution to deal with the current situation surrounding Ronaldo, but gave his backing to Ten Hag to find the best outcome for the club.
He said: 'It is not an easy one, but for the boss, he is here for the team, not Cristiano Ronaldo. Cristiano is part of the team and you need to find that solution.
'At times, he has to play without him and what’s difficult is when people talk about him, he will talk about what he has done in the game and not many people can sit on his table who have achieved what he has, but it is about what he is currently doing and what he is doing is not what he used to.'
Yesterday's exit from Ronaldo was the second time he has left a United game without permission under Ten Hag. In July, the 37-year-old exited Old Trafford at half-time after being substituted in a pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano.
Ten Hag described that incident as ‘unacceptable’ but pointed out that Ronaldo wasn’t the only United player who went early.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s behaviour has been a problem for both Ten Hag and his predecessor Ralf Rangnick.
Only three days, Ronaldo attracted more negative publicity when he was substituted against Newcastle by Ten Hag and left the pitch shaking his head and muttering.
Ten Hag confirmed after the game he would deal with Ronaldo's latest strop on Thursday.
The Dutchman failed to give an answer when he was asked if Ronaldo had been given permission to leave. The United manager said: ‘I have seen him, but I didn’t speak to him. I will deal with that tomorrow, not today. We are celebrating this victory.'
The win over Spurs took United up to fifth in the Premier League, with Ten Hag's side now unbeaten in five games in all competitions.
teeacdlpr
187
all the useless Ronaldo fans don't know football, fkc out of Manchester if you care only about Ronaldo and not the team Juve must be relived, they have their real fans back now. Fking fools will retire watching football when Ronaldo reitres
Mangisha
152
You cn clearly see the difference in analyse btn Henry and Evra. Henry making sense. Evra only speaking as a Ronaldo fan. The team comes first. If the team is fine without Ronaldo, then let them play without him. But of course he has to play in other games, and I believe Ten knows that too. I love Messi but if PSG or Argentina plays better without him then let them play without him. It's the team first. Always and forever. And honestly speaking Man U plays more as a team without Ronaldo. Am not even a fan of theirs but I can clearly see that.
Kipklmotyz
86
May Evra answer me? Do u (Evra)want the coach to respect Ronaldo not the club? The coach select the winning team not for the sake of status for an individual player. Ronaldo is childish, and indiscipline. If he was not happy when the team won, what was in his mind? He played on Saturday vs Newcastle they didn't win. What we need is 3 points not Ronaldo Or Evra status plz???
walinton
8
You cn clearly see the difference in analyse btn Henry and Evra. Henry making sense. Evra only speaking as a Ronaldo fan. The team comes first. If the team is fine without Ronaldo, then let them play without him. But of course he has to play in other games, and I believe Ten knows that too. I love Messi but if PSG or Argentina plays better without him then let them play without him. It's the team first. Always and forever. And honestly speaking Man U plays more as a team without Ronaldo. Am not even a fan of theirs but I can clearly see that.
but PSG and Argentina will never ask messi to warm up and end up leaving him until 89th minute... that's total disrespect to a player with such profile... Ten Hag shouldn't have brought him up from the bench, we are talking about Ronaldo not a newly promoted academy player..
danielokaso
8
I love Evra for what he did and contributed to the team at his time of reign, but no wonder he likes Conte over TenHag for the Man United coaching role, but I don't think he has any idea what Ronaldo can offer at this current age of his, I don't even know if has ever tallied down the offsides and attempts between games with Ronaldo and the games without him. Football is not about Ronaldo but it's about the team, couldn't he wait and celebrate together with his teammates moreover at Old Trafford?? that's a selfish heart