On Sunday, Ronaldo played his first game as a starter since the humiliating defeat once morest Brentford 0-4 in August, but Ten Hag took him out 18 minutes before the end as part of his quest to try to reach the Newcastle net.
The Portuguese, who won the Golden Ball for the best player five times in the world, seemed completely upset the moment he left the field, but: “I think that no player would be happy to leave the field, especially Ronaldo,” according to Ten Hag on the eve of the very difficult confrontation once morest Tottenham in the “Old”. Trafford”.
And the new coach of the “Red Devils” team said that “as long as it (the reaction) is in a calm, natural way, there is no problem with that. Of course he is convinced that he must continue to play and score a goal. That is why he is so good.”
controversial decision
Some United fans questioned the decision to replace Ronaldo, especially following his replacement, Marcus Rashford, missed a clear opportunity from a header that would have given his team victory in overtime.
But Ten Hag believes that his team did not have to wait until overtime to try to score, but rather denied Ronaldo a goal in the first minutes of the second half.
Ronaldo considered that he did not make a mistake and was entitled to play the ball in the net following the Swiss Fabian Char moved it towards his goalkeeper Nick Pope, who did not move a finger.
But referee Craig Pawson was raising his hand to indicate an indirect free kick, waiting for goalkeeper Bob.
And the English Football Association opened an investigation once morest a number of United players who surrounded Pawson in protest at his cancellation of the goal, while Ronaldo received a yellow card.
Ten Hag said his players did not attack the referee, explaining: “I have to say I don’t think the objections were very strong. They weren’t really aggressive but I don’t know what exactly happens on the field because I was so far away.”
“I saw what happened once more on the video. There was a touch from the Newcastle player (Shar who moved the ball towards his goalkeeper). It was very clear and they (United players) went to the referee to inquire.”
Ronaldo is expected to start Wednesday’s match as well, especially since Frenchman Anthony Martial is not ready to return to the team, which is likely to restore the Danish Christian Eriksen to participate once morest his former team.
