Michael Carrick has been explaining why Cristiano Ronaldo was left out of his starting XI for Manchester United’s Premier League clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The Red Devils’ interim boss opted to name the Portuguese superstar among his substitutes when taking in a trip to west London.
Despite lining up against the Premier League leaders, Carrick decided to leave his talismanic No.7 on the bench as Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes fill attacking and creative berths.
Carrick told Sky Sports of his selection decision: "A few tweaks and changes from the other night, to change things up a bit.
"Cristiano is probably our standout name, but it's just gameplan, ideas. I had a good chat with Cristiano actually, he was great, and we've decided to go like that today. Really looking forward to the game.
"It's a decision just to pick a team, to be honest. I don't think it needs more drama than that.
"Everyone is fine, all the boys who have come out of the team have been terrific around the place, Cristiano included, fantastic with the boys, supporting them 100 per cent and ready to come on if and when needed.
"We’re happy with the team we’ve picked, for sure. We’ve come here to try and win the game, like we do every single game. "
It is not the first time this season that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has failed to make the United team for an English top-flight fixture.
Back on October 2, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took a similar approach when piecing together his plans for a home date with Everton.
Ronaldo was given 33 minutes of game time in that contest, but was unable to prevent it from finishing 1-1.
ht2017
190
not understanding the logic of these noobs coach , if your best player fit to play then play with him for full time. Every teams star player playing every game and every minute. either salah for Liverpool, Kane for spur , messi for Barca/PSG , Benzema for real , mabappe for PSG , Lewandowski for Bayern etc . from last year at Juve onward we can this type of treatment with Ronaldo and now its becoming trend for every coach to drop him to bench. it's really pathetic plan and trying to break his morale nothing else
ŤhéĽéğêňđ
93
And...this mental guy says benching CR7 was a good thing
whykallar
67
I think Carrick reasons in short is, he wanted to play both attacking and defensive football at the same time where every players will be busy marking instead of standing whenever they lose the ball, and secondly Chelsea's coach game plans involved markings CR7, to his surprise CR7 didn't start the match, my views
SaadAkhtarKhan
15
And...this mental guy says benching CR7 was a good thing
[image]
what do u think cr7 would have done to change this? not saying Benching him was a good idea but not much he can do against a team which has the ball 70% of the time
rikimnrty
12
And...this mental guy says benching CR7 was a good thing
[image]
is better than playing Ronaldo and lose 4 - 0 inthe first half
Archiferrell
12
not understanding the logic of these noobs coach , if your best player fit to play then play with him for full time. Every teams star player playing every game and every minute. either salah for Liverpool, Kane for spur , messi for Barca/PSG , Benzema for real , mabappe for PSG , Lewandowski for Bayern etc . from last year at Juve onward we can this type of treatment with Ronaldo and now its becoming trend for every coach to drop him to bench. it's really pathetic plan and trying to break his morale nothing else
Your question is simple to answer, he is not his best player that’s why. Daaah
Hellomadrid25
10
not understanding the logic of these noobs coach , if your best player fit to play then play with him for full time. Every teams star player playing every game and every minute. either salah for Liverpool, Kane for spur , messi for Barca/PSG , Benzema for real , mabappe for PSG , Lewandowski for Bayern etc . from last year at Juve onward we can this type of treatment with Ronaldo and now its becoming trend for every coach to drop him to bench. it's really pathetic plan and trying to break his morale nothing else
dude MU season has already been spoiled. Now let them come up with new ideas if it helps to create future bright...Its okay as long as everyone is happy. Ronaldo came here to help the team. He doesn't have to prove anything to anyone. He has achieved everything. I'm a MU wellwisher...
Faisal60
9
not understanding the logic of these noobs coach , if your best player fit to play then play with him for full time. Every teams star player playing every game and every minute. either salah for Liverpool, Kane for spur , messi for Barca/PSG , Benzema for real , mabappe for PSG , Lewandowski for Bayern etc . from last year at Juve onward we can this type of treatment with Ronaldo and now its becoming trend for every coach to drop him to bench. it's really pathetic plan and trying to break his morale nothing else
bro he is 36 he can't start every game
Fopbdklnrz
8
And...this mental guy says benching CR7 was a good thing
[image]
good idea carrick for ronaldo on the bench 😇
Saabcdktyz
8
not understanding the logic of these noobs coach , if your best player fit to play then play with him for full time. Every teams star player playing every game and every minute. either salah for Liverpool, Kane for spur , messi for Barca/PSG , Benzema for real , mabappe for PSG , Lewandowski for Bayern etc . from last year at Juve onward we can this type of treatment with Ronaldo and now its becoming trend for every coach to drop him to bench. it's really pathetic plan and trying to break his morale nothing else
It is a right decision not to start Ronaldo. I think this is the best decision.
Vemcklp
8
And...this mental guy says benching CR7 was a good thing
[image]
it's going to be the same even cr7 plays. midfield sucks no gameplan anyhow passing