Erik ten Hag has said Cristiano Ronaldo must say sorry if he wants to be allowed back into the Manchester United fold.
Ten Hag confirmed he dropped and fined Ronaldo for refusing to come on as a sub in United’s 2-0 midweek victory over Tottenham.
Ronaldo will miss today’s game at Chelsea and has been told by Ten Hag he must show real contrition if he wants to return to the first-team squad again.
In an Instagram post, Ronaldo said “sometimes the heat of the moment gets the best of us” but stopped short of apologising to Ten Hag, his team-mates and even United supporters.
Ten Hag also warned Ronaldo he could face a huge backlash from his own fans following his public show of dissent at Old Trafford.
Asked if Ronaldo will return to training with the first-team squad on Monday, Ten Hag said: “We will first talk. I don’t want to miss him. I want him to be in the squad and be involved for every game because he has an impact.”
Asked if Ronaldo must show he is sorry before being allowed to return, Ten Hag said: “We set certain standards. That is for any player. He has to live, as anyone else, along certain standards and the standards we set this season.”
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Ten Hag said Ronaldo’s hero status among the club fans was justified, but warned the player he will also be judged by his current conduct. “I think it’s justified, because he has achieved a lot in his career,” said Ten Hag.
“But he has to be aware that you get judged by the moment and how you are acting today. In top sport, it’s about today, it’s not about age or reputation. In top sport, you get judged by the moment and how you act.
“That’s normal. Everyone has to be aware of it and not just Cristiano. We have to be aware of it as a team, a manager and a club.”
