Ten Hag claims respect for Ronaldo’s career made him leave the Portuguese on the bench in the derby; Keane believes United are disrespecting the former Real Madrid player.
Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo was an unused substitute for the first time at the club this season in the Manchester derby.
Erik Ten Hag had the option to introduced the Portuguese in the second half of the game but instead brought in Anthony Martial.
When asked why he left Ronaldo on the bench, Erik Ten Hag stated that he had to snub the forward out of respect for his career.
“I didn’t bring him on out of respect for his big career,” the Dutchman said at his post-match press conference.
“And the other thing, there was then the advantage I could bring Antony Martial on. He needs the minutes but I don’t want to point it out like that.”
Speaking about the Ronaldo issue former Manchester United player Roy Keane said the club is disrespecting the five-time Ballon D’ or winner.
“I think United are showing disrespect to Ronaldo. He should have been let go before the transfer window”, Keane said.
“The manager held on to him. Ok, he said he wanted options. But you don’t hold on to Ronaldo to sit on the bench. He is one of the greatest players ever. He had options [to move in the summer]. This idea he didn’t have options is rubbish. He had four or five good options.
“The big picture is that he [Ten Hag] is not going to play Ronaldo. It is just going to get uglier as the season goes on.
“United have shown nothing but disrespect to Ronaldo.”
However, Sky Sports pundit and former United captain Gary Neville stated on Twitter: “I get [Ten Hag’s] point to be honest.
“Bringing Ronaldo on at 4-0 and 6-1 would have been an insult. Ten Hag may not have delivered the line correctly and probably would have been best not saying it, but I like his honesty.”
Speaking about the derby game Neville said: “The story of the game is that in the first half Manchester United froze. There’s no doubt they bottled it.
“There has been promise in the last few weeks from United. But this is a reminder of how far behind they actually are the best team in the country.”
“They have been really nervous. They have just not handled this derby at all.
“I expected so much more from United. There was no composure. They never settled. They were anxious and nervous on the ball.”
