The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was left as an unused substitute in the weekend’s 6-3 derby defeat to Man City.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has admitted Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t happy to miss Sunday’s 6-3 derby defeat against Manchester City.
Ten Hag dropped Ronaldo to the bench in favor of starting a fit again Marcus Rashford at the Etihad. The coach later substituted Rashford for Anthony Martial, choosing to keep CR7 benched out of ‘respect for his great career’.
Ronaldo has only started in one of United’s seven Premier League games this season.
“He’s not happy that he wasn’t playing Sunday, don’t get me wrong,” Ten Hag said of Ronaldo in a press conference on Wednesday.
“The question was about his mood on the training pitch and when he’s around and he’s happy. Of course, he wants to play and he’s p***ed off when he’s not playing. Clear.”
🗣 "I don't bring him out of respect, it has nothing to do with the future, January or next year."
Erik ten Hag explains why Cristiano Ronaldo is being not used as an option off the bench pic.twitter.com/x0QgjbsH83
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 5, 2022
Upbeat Ronaldo is training well
On the upside, Ronaldo hasn’t allowed his lack of minutes to get him down. The forward remains committed and in an upbeat mood on the training ground.
“I don’t see he’s unhappy, he’s happy, he’s training well, he’s enjoying it. Everyone is training well. There’s a good spirit,” Ten Hag said of Ronaldo’s attitude.
“He’s really competitive, as we all know. He’s not happy when he’s not playing. But I already said and I have to repeat, he’s training well, he has a good mood, he’s motivated and he gives his best, that is what we expect.”
Ronaldo has started both of United’s Europa League games this season and scored in the 2-0 win at FC Sheriff last time out.
The 37-year-old could return to the line-up again when the Red Devils visit 
Omonia in Cyprus on Thursday.
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