Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has criticised Reds manager Erik ten Hag for dropping Cristiano Ronaldo to the bench for the clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night.
The Reds welcome Spurs to Old Trafford hoping to get back to winning ways after drawing 0-0 with Newcastle United at the weekend. Cristiano Ronaldo started the game against the Magpies on Sunday, but was named among the substitutes for the clash with Antonio Conte's side.
Ronaldo scored the winning goal in the 2-1 win over Everton a few weeks ago, but has endured a difficult campaign and has only registered two goals. The Portuguese veteran has started just six matches for Ten Hag's side this term.
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However, Ronaldo's former United teammate Evra has criticised the Dutchman's decision to drop the 37-year-old attacker, suggesting that the Reds boss would start the Real Madrid legend if he 'respected' the frontman like he said he did following the derby defeat to Manchester City earlier this month.
"I would have to start him. One interview from Ten Hag after the game against Manchester City and why he didn’t bring him on was because he respected his character. If he respected his character, he would surely have to play him and play him every time," said Evra, speaking on Amazon Prime.
Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry also insisted that United need to find a solution to Ronaldo's current situation at Old Trafford, but backed Ten Hag to do what is best for the team.
He said: "It is not an easy one, but for the boss, he is here for the team, not Cristiano Ronaldo. Cristiano is part of the team and you need to find that solution.
"At times, he has to play without him and what’s difficult is when people talk about him, he will talk about what he has done in the game and not many people can sit on his table who have achieved what he has, but it is about what he is currently doing and what he is doing is not what he used to."
Ronaldo scored his 700th club goal in the recent win over the Toffees, but Ten Hag has typically utilised the Portugal international as an impact substitute so far this season.
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