Cristiano Ronaldo has suspicions some of his Manchester United team-mates have been trying to undermine his position in the dressing room, according to reports.
The Portuguese striker has been forced to train alone after storming down the tunnel and out of Old Trafford during Wednesday's victory over Tottenham, and he will play no part in the fixture vs Chelsea this weekend. Ronaldo didn't even hang around to congratulate his team-mates on the win, having refused to come on as a substitute in the dying minutes.
Erik ten Hag has insisted Ronaldo remains an "important player in the squad", while the 37-year-old issued a statement accepting he was in the wrong and admitting the "heat of the moment" got the better of him. But while Ronaldo remains well respected in the United camp, it appears he is wary of some of his colleagues.
According to Manchester Evening News, Ronaldo suspects some of United's players have been trying to undermine his standing among his peers. The report adds that a 'growing number' of the squad prefer it when Ronaldo is not playing, with Marcus Rashford often being selected ahead of him.
There is also said to be belief in the dressing room Ronaldo's return to the club has had an adverse impact on compatriot Bruno Fernandes, who had struggled for form until Ten Hag's appointment in the summer. Fernandes was instrumental for United in the win over Spurs, scoring the second goal.
Ronaldo now faces severe question marks over his future at Old Trafford. He pushed for a move in the summer but Ten Hag stood firm as he wanted to keep the striker as part of his squad, though it seems he only has a bit-part role to play in the Dutchman's plans.
That is where Ronaldo's frustration has boiled over, after being hauled off with 18 minutes still left to play in Sunday's goalless draw against Newcastle, before throwing his petulant strop at the end of Thursday's game after Ten Hag called for him to help see out the victory.
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Eventually youngster Anthony Elanga was thrown on instead as Ronaldo took the long walk down the touchline and straight down the tunnel, taking the spotlight and the gloss off what was a big night in Ten Hag's tenure thus far. Ronaldo's absence was barely noticed in the United dressing room as they toasted a well-earned three points.
The MEN's report claims there is little risk of United's players turning against Ronaldo, with harmony amongst squad members in a good place and the club icon still very much respected around Carrington. However, his omission from the clash with rivals Chelsea this weekend only adds further weight to the prospect of him moving on in the near future.
Ten Hag said at his press conference on Friday there had to be "consequences" for Ronaldo's behaviour but is keen to draw a line under the incident. Asked whether the situation could be a distraction ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge, he added: "I think that is part of when you play in top football. There is noise, rumours, you've got to focus."
