Ten Hag: "Cristiano Ronaldo is an important part of the team, but there are rules and values"

LONDON, Oct. 21 (PA Media/dpa/EP) -

The manager of Manchester United, Erik ten Hag, confirmed this Friday that the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo refused to enter as a substitute against Tottenham and assured that, although they are going to miss him because "he is an important part" of the team, the fact of having been momentarily separated will influence "the attitude and mentality" of the group.

"Yes", Ten Hag replied at a press conference when asked if the striker had not wanted to enter the field last Wednesday and would later have decided to leave, which has caused the club to decide to separate him and not play this weekend of the week against Chelsea.

The Dutchman made it clear that he is "maximally responsible for sports culture" and that he has to "establish norms and values" and also "control them", and warned that the talk with the Madeiran was private. "What happened in the talk is between Cristiano and me. The club's statement is also clear, I think," he asserted.

Cristiano Ronaldo had already left Old Trafford before the end of the pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano in July. "I said that it was unacceptable, but he was not the only one, it was something for everyone, and that when it was the second time, it would have consequences and that is what we did," I expressed.

"We will miss him against Chelsea. It is a loss for us and for the team, but I think it is important for the attitude and mentality of the group. Now we have to focus on Chelsea and that is the most important thing," Ten stressed. Hag, who recalled that the Portuguese "is still an important part of the team" and that he will have him again.