(CNN) — Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said he will wait until Thursday to “deal” with the early departure of Cristiano Ronaldo during the team’s 2-0 win once morest Tottenham.
Ronaldo, who has had few playing minutes with Ten Hag and who tried to force his way out of United before the start of the season, was an unused substitute in Wednesday’s game.
Instead of staying until the final whistle, the Portuguese striker left through the tunnel with several minutes remaining in the match at Old Trafford, shortly following Ten Hag had brought on Christian Eriksen and Anthony Elanga.
“I don’t pay attention (to that) today, we deal with it tomorrow,” the Dutch coach told reporters when asked regarding Ronaldo’s early departure. “I want to focus on this team. It was a magnificent performance.”
Ronaldo appeared unhappy when he was substituted in the 72nd minute of United’s 0-0 draw once morest Newcastle on Sunday, a decision Ten Hag said he made to keep his strikers fresh ahead of a tight run of games.
In his eight appearances so far this season – six of them from the substitutes’ bench – Cristiano Ronaldo has only scored one goal.
Speaking to the BBC, former England striker Gary Lineker said it was “unacceptable” and “very poor” for the 37-year-old to leave the match early.
Against Tottenham, a deflected shot from Fred gave United the lead early in the second half, before Bruno Fernandes increased the home side’s lead from the edge of the box.
It was largely thanks to the excellence of Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris that United only scored two goals, allowing them to rise to fifth in the Premier League table with the win.
In an up-and-down season, Ten Hag’s side have recorded victories once morest Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal, as well as humiliating defeats once morest Brentford and Manchester City.
The next appointment is Chelsea, this Saturday, while Tottenham plays at home once morest Newcastle.
