Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo stormed down the tunnel during his team's Premier League victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night
United won 2-0 against Antonio Conte's team, with second-half goals from Fred and Bruno Fernandes. However, Ronaldo was left on the bench by manager Erik ten Hag.
Ronaldo scored a hat-trick last season as United beat Spurs 3-2. This time, though, Ten Hag decided he didn't need last season's top scorer to make sure of victory.
After a goalless first half, Fred broke the deadlock earlier in the second period and Fernandes doubled the lead. Ten Hag made a late double-change, introducing Anthony Elanga and Christian Eriksen, but Ronaldo remained on the sidelines while the manager used just three of his available five substitutions.
"I understand his frustration that he's not been able to get on the pitch but if you look at the bigger picture his team have put in a really good performance tonight," commentator Alan Shearer said on Amazon Prime Video. "The manager had a big call to make in leaving him out but it's turned out to be the right decision because they've done everything right.
"It's a difficult situation because, for him [Erik ten Hag], we're talking about the best player in the world, maybe the best player we've ever seen, so he's under pressure from that point of view. But it does make things difficult for the manager because he's going to be asked about that in the press conference and really he should be talking about every one of his players on the pitch tonight because they've all been impressive."
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The result at Old Trafford saw United extend their unbeaten run to three games in the Premier League. Ronaldo had started the last home game against Newcastle United on Sunday, but did not appear thrilled when he was substituted over the weekend.
"I think no player is happy when he [is taken] off, and especially not Ronaldo, I understand that. As long as it is [done] in a quite a normal way, [I have] no problem with that," former Ajax boss Ten Hag said when quizzed on the matter after Sunday's game. He is, of course, convinced that he should stay on and he should score a goal. That is why he is that good. I know it [the hat-trick], but, and, of course, when you line up several facts you take count of, but also other facts you take count of."
United's victory over Spurs saw them go fifth in the Premier League table, just four points behind their Wednesday night opponents. They also have a game in hand on Conte's team, having now beaten them under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick and Erik ten Hag in successive league meetings.
