Cristiano Ronaldo "p***** off" as Erik ten Hag addresses January transfer talk

Erik ten Hag has admitted star man Cristiano Ronaldo is "p***** off" at not playing for Manchester United.

Ronaldo was left on the bench for United's 6-3 derby defeat at Manchester City at the weekend, sparking fresh speculation he could leave in January, when the transfer window opens.

While Ten Hag admitted Ronaldo is unhappy at not playing more regularly, the United boss claimed the forward is training well and remains a part of his plans going forward. Ten Hag said he did not bring Ronaldo on against City out of respect for the forward and claimed that decision had no bearing on the 37-year-old icon's future.

"I can’t see that relation, that he’s not coming when we’re 4-0, 5-1, 6-1 down," Ten Hag said of Ronaldo. "I didn’t bring him on out of respect, it’s nothing to do with what’s happening for the future or January or next year. 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, that’s not the point, it’s important as it’s a base to work well. Everyone knows what you expect from strikers, first production and in our system, 11 defend and 11 attack, so everyone has to contribute."

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Cristiano Ronaldo had his head in his hands at times during Manchester United's drubbing at the hands of Manchester City (Sky Sports)

Asked how Ronaldo could be happy if he is not playing, Ten Hag said: "He’s not happy that he wasn't playing Sunday, but that wasn’t the question. The question was about his mood when he’s around and he’s happy. Of course, he wants to play, he’s p***** off when he’s not playing."

Reflecting on United's emphatic defeat by their local rivals, Ten Hag thanked Pep Guardiola and his City players for giving his team such a brutal reality check. "Now we got a reality check with Manchester City, we know we have to step up," the Dutchman added. "So, thank you for the lesson, Pep and City, we will take that, we have to understand it."

United captain Harry Maguire and fellow defenders Raphael Varane and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will miss Thursday's Europa League tie away to Omonia Nicosia, with midfielder Donny van de Beek also absent.