Erik ten Hag has been praised for his ‘brilliant’ handling of Cristiano Ronaldo, which ‘sends a message’ to Manchester United’s other players.
Former England striker and talkSPORT host Carlton Cole has been left impressed with how the Premier League’s new arrival has dealt with removing the all-time great from his line-up.
Champion League five-time winner Ronaldo missed United’s pre-season due to ‘family issues’ and had a summer of intense transfer speculation.
After reports his agent held talks with Bayern Munich and Chelsea to try and secure a return to Europe’s top tier competition the 37-year-old ended up staying at Old Trafford, and came back in time for an opening day loss to Brighton.
He was then fielded for a humiliating 4-0 defeat away to Brentford, but since being put on the bench, United have racked up a four-game winning streak, vindicating Ten Hag’s early work.
“The way that he’s conducted himself with the Ronaldo situation has been top,” Cole said.
“It sends a great message to the other lads to say ‘listen if you want to be in my team you’ve got to play by the rules’.
“You can’t just be coming in here throwing your weight around, we know you’re Ronaldo, we know you’ve got a big name.
“It’s not just on Ronaldo by the way, but if you’re going for the top dog and make an example and try and lead by example you’re going to have to go for Ronaldo.
“He’s the main guy, he didn’t come to training the whole of the pre-season, that didn’t show a bond, so put him on the bench.
“It’s been brilliant, that’s what you want, to be treated fairly, imagine if any of those other players didn’t turn up for pre-season, no matter what the circumstances you wouldn’t be playing.
“Ronaldo has had to bide his time as well, he’s going to try and get in and fight for his place and there’s been a hoo-ha about him leaving but it hasn’t happened, so he’s got to fight for his place with the World Cup coming up.”
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