Erik ten Hag expects Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at Manchester United this season amid January transfer talk and insists superstar must accept ‘consequences’ for ‘bad behaviour’

Erik ten Hag has revealed he expects Cristiano Ronaldo to remain at Manchester United for the remainder of the season, regardless of axing the celebrity from his squad.

The Dutch boss has poured chilly water on studies Ronaldo may go away Previous Trafford in January, however has stated the Portugal captain should settle for the ‘penalties’ after a collection of touchline strops.

Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham was United’s greatest efficiency since Ten Hag’s appointment, and but Ronaldo ensured all of the post-match discuss can be dominated by him after he stormed down the tunnel earlier than the full-time whistle had been blown.

It appeared the 37-year-old was sad with being an unused substitute within the match, however Ten Hag later revealed that he had really refused to come back on the pitch.

He stomped out of the United dugout and down the tunnel earlier than the sport had even completed, and skipped his teammates’ celebrations by reportedly leaving the stadium earlier than that they had even returned to the dressing room.

Ten Hag acted swiftly, axing Ronaldo from the matchday squad for Saturday night’s Premier League conflict towards Chelsea, and making him prepare on his personal away from the principle group as punishment.

That’s unlikely to have made Ronaldo’s temper any higher, however Ten Hag has been eager to put down the regulation in a message to CR7 and the remainder of his group – that ‘dangerous behaviour’ might be punished.

“It’s a troublesome resolution, it’s clear,” Ten Hag stated forward of the Chelsea sport.

“However I believe there must be penalties for behaviour or when it’s dangerous behaviour and it’s the second time, then you possibly can’t let it go as a result of in any other case it’s going to be depressing for the long run.

“Then it’s a must to take this measure which I don’t prefer it as a result of I want the squad with Cristiano on board.

“It’s not about [showing who is in charge]. It’s in regards to the membership. I’ve to take choices within the pursuits of the membership and the group particularly. That’s my job.

“It doesn’t matter who it’s, repute or age. Additionally with my line-up, I’ve to choose the group the place I believe now we have the very best probability to win.”

Reviews have steered Ronaldo may once more look to depart United when the switch window reopens in January, having didn’t push by means of an exit in the summertime.

Ten Hag didn’t need to speak about January signings and stated ‘I depend on Cristiano’, confirming he each thinks and needs the veteran to be at United for the rest of the season.

“It’s for this sport after which we proceed,” he stated. “I’m open for that. For me, that could be a strike.

“What we stated within the assertion we imply: Cristiano stays an necessary a part of the squad and I depend on him for the remainder of the season. We need to fulfil our ambitions.”

Requested if his absence may transcend Monday, the United boss stated: “I don’t suppose so, no. That’s not my function.

“What I stated, I don’t need to miss him. I need him to be within the squad, I need him to become involved for each sport as a result of he has an affect.”

“We set sure requirements however that’s for any participant.”

Ronaldo could also be again concerned when United host Sheriff Tiraspol within the Europa League on Thursday, when the response from the stands is prone to be much less constructive than common.

The 37-year-old is revered by the Previous Trafford devoted after his excellent first spell on the membership however his newest histrionics are unlikely to have gone down properly.

Put to Ten Hag {that a} harsh response may welcome Ronaldo on his return, the Dutchman stated: “I believe [his popularity] is justified as a result of he achieved so much in his profession. I don’t have perhaps to say however it’s so good.

“But additionally he must be conscious you all the time get justified by the second for the way you’re appearing right now.

“Particularly I believe in prime sport it’s about right now – it’s not about age, it not about repute.

“You all the time whenever you do prime sport, you get justified, you get judged by the second and [how] you act. That’s regular.

“We now have to concentrate on it – everybody, not simply Cristiano, has to concentrate on it as a group, as a supervisor, as a membership.”