Manchester United players did not even realise that Cristiano Ronaldo had left Old Trafford as they celebrated their dominant two-goal victory over Tottenham on Wednesday, according to reports.
Boss Erik ten Hag hailed his United stars for producing their "best team performance" of his tenure in the win, which was sealed by goals from Bruno Fernandes and Fred. It was a showing of verve and swagger that has so often been missing in recent years from the club.
However, Cristiano Ronaldo – an unused substitute in the encounter – was filmed walking off down the tunnel with two minutes remaining of the clash and had reportedly departed Old Trafford by the time his triumphant teammates had returned to the dressing room.
Ten Hag said of the incident immediately after the game on Amazon Prime: "He (Ronaldo) was there, I have seen him but I didn't speak. I will deal with that tomorrow not today." Yet it was comments from defender Lisandro Martinez which may prove even more instructive on the situation.
Speaking after the game, the Argentine defender added: "I didn't see anything (of Ronaldo leaving). I don't know. I only enjoy with the people, we won, and that's important." Ronaldo's absence was not felt in the jubilant dressing room after the match and all the indications are that he is not sharing in the team's successes.
These claims are furthered by The Athletic, who outline how the Portuguese superstar's exit 'didn't make a ripple in the home dressing room'. For the United players savouring the moment, the absence of their highest earning player did not even cross their minds.
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Ronaldo has started just two Premier League matches this campaign – netting just once – as he has dropped down the pecking order under Ten Hag. The injury absence of Anthony Martial has only compounded his falling prominence at the club, and he appears increasingly likely to depart in 2023.
The Portuguese forward has not started in any of United's six Premier League victories to date and it appears that Marcus Rashford and Martial have established themselves as first-choice forwards under Ten Hag. This latest incident is likely to quell any discontent behind the scenes in an episode taht took some of the polish off a super win for United.
