Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane admits he isn't sure whether Cristiano Ronaldo has a way back at Old Trafford after his Tottenham strop.
Ronaldo was left out of Erik ten Hag's squad for the Premier League game against Chelsea on Saturday. The forward refused to come on as a late substitute during Wednesday's victory over Tottenham, and was seen storming down the tunnel before full-time, also leaving the ground immediately.
Since the incident a number of former teammates have given their verdict on the 37-year-old, including Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra. Amid some defences of the Portuguese superstar however, Keane appeared to fear the worst for European football's greatest-ever goalscorer.
"The manager’s made a decision to leave him out, Ronaldo didn’t want to go on even if it was the 87th, 88th minute, he’s walked down the tunnel and been punished for it," Keane said on Sky Sports. "I try to see if from the players 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.
"Everybody’s talking United beating Spurs, best performance in years, rubbish, Tottenham were terrible. 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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While Keane gave a nuanced take on Ronaldo, he appeared uncertain when it came to what's next for Ronaldo. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has been used sparingly this season in the league, scoring just once in the competition all season.
"He has to take his punishment, is there a way back for him? I’m not sure," the Irishman said.
He went on to defend Ronaldo's performances since returning to Old Trafford, making note of his hat-trick against Tottenham last season, and also pointed to Ten Hag's role in the current situation.
"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 [against Spurs]?
"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 are reportedly preparing to let Ronaldo leave for free if a taker can be found. There are still a number of games to play before the January transfer window opens, though, and the coming weeks, ahead of the World Cup break, will be a test of whether the player has any future at Old Trafford.
