Erik ten Hag insists Cristiano Ronaldo's mood remains upbeat despite his absence from the Manchester United side in the derby at the Etihad on Sunday.
Ronaldo was dropped from the starting XI to face Manchester City for the fit again Marcus Rashford and then wasn't called on off the bench, with Ten Hag preferring Anthony Martial, who scored two late goals.
Ten Hag said he didn't use Ronaldo out of 'respect for his great career', with City leading 4-0 at half-time and extending their lead to 5-1 and 6-1 before United's late rally.
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Ronaldo might find himself behind Rashford and Martial in the pecking order up front for Ten Hag, but the Dutchman insists the 37-year-old remains committed and enthusiastic around Carrington, despite reports he could look to leave in January.
"I can’t see that relation, that he’s not coming when we’re 4-0, 5-1, 6-1 down, I don’t bring him on out of respect, it’s nothing to do with what’s happening for the future or January or next year," said Ten Hag.
"I don’t see he’s unhappy, he's happy, he’s training well, he’s enjoying it. Everyone is training well, there’s a good spirit."
Ten Hag refuted suggestions Ronaldo was happy despite his absence from the team, with the forward starting just once so far in the Premier League this season.
"He’s not happy that he wasn't playing Sunday, don’t get me wrong," he said.
"The question was about his mood on the training pitch and when he’s around and he’s happy. Of course, he wants to play and he’s p***ed off when he’s not playing. Clear."
The United manager has also come in for criticism for absolving Ronaldo from involvement in Sunday's derby day humiliation, but he reacted strongly to suggestions he was showing the five-time Ballon d'Or winner special treatment.
"I think you know why that is, when you’re honest, you know there is a difference," he said.
"I made myself clear, it’s always about how you live by the day, you line up the strongest team you have, but there are differences, nobody is the same in the team.
"I will treat everyone with respect but they all have different backgrounds, with the character they're different, I have to treat players different to get the best out of them, but there are general standards and values that count for everyone."
Ronaldo tried to force his way out of Old Trafford in the summer, but a lack of interest from Champions League clubs limited his options.
United have always maintained they expect to hold the striker to the final year of his contract, but speculation persists about a move away in January.
Ten Hag has held talks with Ronaldo and accepts he wants to be in the team, but he's happy with the competitive instincts he's still showing.
"I never talk about my conversations with the players, they are between us, that’s quite clear, but when I tell you all the players when you’re here and you’re happy, or satisfied, to be on the bench, this is not a club where you have to be, especially Cristiano," he said.
"He’s really competitive, as we all know. He’s not happy when he’s not playing. But I already said and I have to repeat, he’s training well, he has a good mood, he’s motivated and he gives his best, that is what we expect."
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