Roy Keane explains why Cristiano Ronaldo misdemeanour not biggest Man Utd issue, questioning not ‘clever’ Ten Hag call
Cristiano Ronaldo refusing to come on for Manchester United is far from the biggest sin committed at the club, according to Roy Keane – who understands why his sense of frustration may have been building.
Erik ten Hag omitted Ronaldo from his matchday squad for Manchester United’s clash with Chelsea on Saturday evening because of the striker’s refusal to come on as a substitute in their recent win over Tottenham Hotspur.
The decision has drawn a lot of attention, with some backing Ten Hag for his bold call, and others questioning his treatment of one of the game’s greatest ever players.
Ten Hag has only given Ronaldo two starts in the Premier League so far this season. In turn, there has been just one domestic goal from the club’s top goalscorer from last term.
His long-term future has already been up in the air. But his recent refusal to come on against Tottenham has only amplified questions of his commitment to the club. For what it’s worth, the Portugal legend has given his own version of events.
According to Roy Keane, though, Ronaldo’s frustration has stemmed from the fact he “cares” for the club and wants to help them on the pitch. What’s more, their achievements without him may have been viewed through the wrong lens.
Keane told Sky Sports: “Obviously the manager’s made a decision to leave him out. He’s disappointed that Ronaldo certainly didn’t want to go on, even if it was 87th, 88th minute, and the fact he walked down the tunnel – he’s obviously been punished for it.
“But I try and see it as well from the player’s point of view. He’s obviously had enough, he’s lost the head, and I think it’s been brewing now for the last few weeks with Ronaldo.
“But I will still try and defend him. I still think he’s human being, he’s got flaws. He feels frustrated that he’s not been probably getting opportunities and he’s had enough, and he’s walked down the tunnel.
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“I think players have done a lot worse things at Manchester United. I think it happens, it’s human nature. Everyone was talking about after the game that they’d beat Spurs, it was a big win, best performance in years – absolute rubbish, Spurs were terrible.
“Man Utd managed to beat Spurs as well last year at home, when I think Ronaldo got a hat trick. So he’s more than capable of getting on that pitch and making a difference.
“But he has to take his punishment. Is there a way back for him? I’m not sure. But I still think Ronaldo, his behaviour over the last, certainly week and even when he didn’t get on the other night – or he refused to go on – I’d be more worried if Ronaldo was sitting on the bench every week laughing his head off and not caring. I think the guy cares.
“I’ve said it before in this game, this game is full of bluffers. And he’s certainly not one of them.
Roy Keane claims Cristiano Ronaldo cares
“I think he cares about the club. He wants to play, he needs to play. World-class player, people saying he’s not the player he was 10 years ago – of course he’s not. But he was leading goalscorer last year for Man Utd.
“He went to Man Utd last year to a bad Man Utd team. Really bad team. He was the leading goalscorer.
“I think the last few weeks he’s been frustrated after the City game, I think the Everton game where he was a sub and he came on and scored, was taken off against Newcastle, the manager then wants to bring him on for a few minutes.
“They asked the manager in the press conference the last few days, obviously, Ronaldo refused to go on but you should ask him, when were you going to put him on? Late in the game, two or three minutes to go? Not too sure that was a clever move.”
