Cristiano Ronaldo praised his teammates for their outstanding performances against Liverpool on Monday, as Manchester United pulled off a surprising 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
But the 37-year-old didn't have much of a role to play himself, as new manager Erik ten Hag made the bold decision to drop him to the bench and opt for a more flexible forward line including Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford. It proved to be an inspired call as the pair got on the scoresheet and Ronaldo only made a late cameo after being introduced as an 86th-minute substitute, when the Red Devils were desperately clinging onto their slender lead and surrendered possession.
"Well done @manchesterunited," the United legend wrote on Instagram post-match. "Thank you for your support Old Trafford." His brief message came after Ten Hag laid down the gauntlet and challenged Ronaldo to adapt to the high-pressing system which worked a treat against their old foes.
Asked whether the five-time Ballon d'Or winner still has a part to play if the Red Devils continue to play the same way, the Dutch boss replied: "I think he can [adapt], and in his whole career and under several managers, he did. In several styles and systems, he always performed.
"Why can't he do this [again]? His age is not an issue. If you are young, you are good enough, and when you are old, you still deliver the performance, you are also good enough."
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There's a raging debate both inside and outside of the club over whether or not the Portuguese megastar should be moved on before transfer deadline day amid his pleas to leave for a Champions League club. Ten Hag has publicly insisted Ronaldo isn't for sale and remains in his plans, but reports suggest that the striker's miserable behaviour behind-the-scenes has irritated United's gaffer.
Ronaldo recently pledged to give an interview in "a couple of weeks" to get the truth out, but regardless of the superstar's desire to depart, no clubs have presented a satisfactory offer. Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes, has allegedly proposed that United cancel the ex- Real Madrid and Juventus talisman's contract and allow him to leave on a free transfer.
Old Trafford chiefs didn't entertain the idea, though, and there's been no developments since crunch talks at Carrington nearly a month ago. Bruno Fernandes, who's a teammate of Ronaldo's for both club and country, hopes to see his compatriot remain at Old Trafford beyond September 1, but won't bear a grudge should the Portugal captain move on.
"We have to respect what he wants to do, whatever he wants to do," Fernandes told Eleven Sports. "If he's going to stay, we'll be happy about it; if he's going to leave because he thinks it's best for him, I'll be personally happy for him. The most important thing is that he's okay, playing at the highest level and making our country proud."
