After being an integral part of Manchester United’s squad despite missing out on a top-four finish last season, it appears Cristiano Ronaldo who wanted to initiate a move away from the Red Devils in the summer in search of Champions League football is having a nightmare at the Theatre of Dreams.
Ronaldo is back with Manchester United’s first team after being burnished from the squad for the game against Chelsea for storming the tunnels before the final whistle was blown in United’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham in week 10 of the Premier League.
The Portuguese international has since made his return to training with the first team in preparation for Thursday’s Europa League match against Sheriff.
Ten Hag and Ronaldo have been in constant dialogue with the player now in contention for the starting 11 of their next game.
The man who scored his 700th career goal against Everton is not close to his usual best and after missing out on pre-season, he has been at the centre of a lot of controversies and perhaps his performance on the pitch has left very little to be desired this season with his recent antics on the bench being some of the reasons why fans now have divided opinions over him.
After being suspended, Ronaldo took to social media to accept his fate under Ten Hag.
He said: “The heat of the moment get’s the best of us.
“Right now, I just feel that I have to keep working hard in Carrington, support my teammates and be ready for everything in any given game. Giving in to the pressure is not an option. It never was. This is Manchester United, and united we must stand. Soon we’ll be together again.”
He has been off the pace and his team’s ability to get the results done even without him doesn’t help cover the 37-year-old in glory having only made two starts this season in the Premier League and scored only once in 8 appearances.
Ronaldo built his entire career at United before his big-money move to Real Madrid and after his brief spell in Italy, the prodigal son returned but on his return his been forced to see off most games on the bench while making substitute appearances and this has left him frustrated with the coach’s decision and it’s becoming more likely that he could be headed for the exit door in January, this could be the darkest time in his career and possibly in his life.
It however remains to be seen if the World’s record holder of the most international goals scored in football history will be in good boots with his manager at United after his one-match suspension.