Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has joined Rio Ferdinand in forming a defence for Cristiano Ronaldo's antics in mid-week against Tottenham Hotspur.
Ronaldo, 37, caused unrest at Old Trafford after refusing to come on before proceeding to walk down the tunnel and leave the stadium. As a result, Erik ten Hag decided to exclude the striker from his squad for today's trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.
Many across the footballing world have slammed his actions and highlighted the impact it'll have on his future in Manchester, after reportedly wanting to leave the club in the summer transfer window. However, there has been some who have defended him.
READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo publicly humiliated at Old Trafford in Chelsea vs Man United match build up
Former Red Devils defender Ferdinand insisted he can understand why Ronaldo left early and has criticised the communication from both parties. He said: “I wouldn’t have been happy, in Ronaldo’s statement he mentioned how he would’ve handled things differently,” Ferdinand said on BT Sport. “Emotions can sometimes take it out of your control as you're human.
“I’d have been in the queue to speak to him, asking why he did it and asking the question. There’s two ways to look at it, and I don’t condone it for one minute, but there’s always another side to the story.
“I don’t think the communication has been as good as he wanted it to be. 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 [Lionel] Messi. Sometimes they’re afforded a way of treatment a little bit different to everyone else.
“I’m not saying he was right in that decision – and his decision says that as well – but at the same time, you can say for every other player it’s you’re one of the team but there are sometimes special players that things work differently for.
“Not only is he an iconic player, I think it’s important for the team to see he’s communicating and that he’s fresh in his mind and ready to play. He’s 37 years old, he probably needs that more than ever so he can perform to the best of his ability.”
And speaking to Sky Sports ahead of kick-off in West London, Keane agreed with Ferdinand's stance on the matter. He said: "The manager’s made a decision to leave him out, Ronaldo didn’t want to go on even if it was 87, 88 minute, he’s walked down the tunnel and been punished for it.
"I try to see if from the player's point of view, he’s had enough, he’s lost his head, I think it’s been brewing. I still think he’s a human being, he’s got flaws, he’s probably frustrated at not getting opportunities and had enough. He’s walked down the tunnel, I think worse has happened at Manchester United.
"He has to take his punishment, is there a way back for him? I’m not sure. Ronaldo I think his behaviour over the last week, I’d be more worried if he was on the bench every week laughing his head off, not caring, I think the guy cares.
"This game is full of bluffers, he’s not one of them, he loves the club, he needs to play, he wants to play, people saying he’s not the player he was 10 years ago, of course not but he was still leading goalscorer last season. He went to Man United to a bad Manchester United team, really bad, still leading goalscorer.
" I think they asked the manager in the press conference, did Ronaldo refuse to go on? But they should’ve asked him when were you going to put him on? Late in the game, two or three minutes to go? Not too sure, it’s a clever move. He’s got to take his medicine, will he come back to the team before the World Cup? I don’t see it."
United were comfortable winners on Wednesday evening as Antonio Conte's side were beaten 2-0 through goals from Fred and Bruno Fernandes. But despite the Red Devils sweeping up the plaudits for their performance, Keane was questioned the difficulty of defeating Spurs.
"Everybody’s talking United beating Spurs, best performance in years, rubbish, Tottenham were terrible," he said.
"Man United managed to beat Tottenham last year, I think Ronaldo got a hat-trick, he’s more than capable of coming on and making a difference."
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