Gary Neville has branded Cristiano Ronaldo’s tunnel strop as “unacceptable” and said his Manchester United “relationship” should be ended.
The 37-year-old was made to train on his own and banished from United’s squad against Chelsea after he refused to come on in the latter stages of the midweek win over Tottenham. Ronaldo was named amongst the substitutes against Spurs as his teammates put together one of the most complete performances under Erik ten Hag.
But before the final whistle was blown, the Portuguese forward made his way through the Old Trafford tunnel and back into the dressing room. Ten Hag subsequently confirmed he would deal with the indiscretion, with Ronaldo having done similar against Rayo Vallecano in pre-season.
He duly wielded the axe, leaving him out of the travelling party against Chelsea, with his future at the club looking increasingly bleak. Many pundits associated with United, including the likes of Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand opted to back their former colleague, but Neville was more critical - believing the arrangement should be prematurely terminated in the coming weeks.
Speaking before kick-off at Stamford Bridge, Neville told Sky Sports: “Well it has been a big week for Erik ten Hag, I don’t think he was left with any other option, that’s the second time Cristiano Ronaldo has left Old Trafford in his car before his team have got in the changing room.
“I have to say as someone in the dressing room, it’s something that’s unacceptable. When you look at whether Cristiano should be selected which is Cristiano Ronaldo’s biggest problem at the moment - that he isn’t playing - Manchester United are better without him and Erik ten Hag knows that.
He added: “The only thing that Cristiano and the club can do is get together in the next week and end the relationship. Cristiano is too good of a player, too fantastic of a character and the club have got to move on.”
Ten Hag has insisted that the Portuguese international remains an important part of his squad and that his ban would only last for one match. "What the talk - if you ask about that - is between Cristiano and me. The statement is also clear, I think. He remains an important player in the squad,” he explained ahead of the trip to the capital.
"After Vallecano, I told him it was unacceptable but not him everyone, this is the second time, there are consequences. We miss him tomorrow. It's a miss for the squad but it's important for the attitude and mentality of the group and now we have to focus on Chelsea as that is important."
Ferdinand has been a vocal supporter of Ronaldo since his sensational return to United last year and attempted to explain his friend’s action while appearing on BT Sport. "I don’t think the communication has been as good as he wanted it, people say ‘you’re a player in the team’ but when you’re dealing with a player like Cristiano Ronaldo, like it or not, he’s Cristiano Ronaldo he’s one of the greatest footballers ever along with Messi,” he said.
"Sometimes they’re afforded a way of treatment a little bit different to everyone else, it was the same under Fergie, we had that communication about how the minutes are going to look and I think for the first time in his life that’s not upheld from the manager or the club.”
Ronaldo’s current contract runs until the summer of 2023, where United will have an option to extend for a further 12 months. It’s almost certain that won’t take place, with speculation that United could allow him to leave on a free in January.
