Cristiano Ronaldo had to face “consequences” after breaking Manchester United rules for the second time this season, Erik ten Hag has explained.
The manager exiled Ronaldo to train with the reserves after he left Old Trafford early during the win over Tottenham in midweek.
It was not the first time the 37-year-old striker had done so this season, having received a warning from Ten Hag, along with other United players, for leaving a pre-season friendly with Rayo Vallecano early.
Ronaldo will now miss the weekend game against Chelsea and the Dutch boss confirmed reports he also refused to come on as a substitute against Spurs.
He told reporters: “I’m the manager, I’m responsible for the culture here and I have to set standards and values, and I have to control that.
“After Rayo Vallecano I said it was unacceptable. He wasn’t the only one, but the second time it will have consequences.
“We’ll miss him tomorrow, it’s a miss for us, for the squad. But it’s important for the attitude, the mentality of the group. Now we have to focus on Chelsea, that is most important.”
Ten Hag insisted Ronaldo remains an “important part” of his United squad as he insisted the players and club will not be distracted by the feud ahead of facing Chelsea this weekend.
He added: “For him, for everyone else I sent a warning at the start of the season. The next time there had to be consequences.
“When you are living together, playing together, football’s a team sport, you have to fulfill certain standards. I have to control them.
“It’s about Chelsea. We have a big game to play, my focus is on that game. All the focus of the staff and the players is on that game. We have to win, do everything we can and concentrate to prepare and play our best.
“This is part of football, the rumours and noise. You have to focus on the job.”
