Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Manchester United group training

Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Manchester United group training. CR7 refused to come on as a substitute last Wednesday and he was punished by Ten Hag , he excluded him from the team which faced Chelsea of which they drew 1 – 1 on Saturday .

Ronaldo is expected to play in Thursday’s Europa League Group E home game against Moldovan club Sheriff Tiraspol.

Ronaldo made head lines last week and he also said.

“As I’ve always done throughout my career, I try to live and play respectfully towards my colleagues, my adversaries and my coaches,” Ronaldo said in a statement after being axed from the squad to face Chelsea. “That hasn’t changed. I haven’t changed. I’m the same person and the same professional that I’ve been for the last 20 years playing elite football, and respect has always played a very important role in my decision making process.

“I started very young, the older and most experienced players examples were always very important to me. Therefore, later on, I’ve always tried to set the example myself for the youngsters that grew in all the teams that I’ve represented. Unfortunately that’s not always possible and sometimes the heat of the moment get’s the best of us.

“Right now, I just feel that I have to keep working hard in Carrington, support my teammates and be ready for everything in any given game. Giving in to the pressure is not an option. It never was. This is Manchester United, and united we must stand. Soon we’ll be together again.”

Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Manchester United group training

The boss Ten Hag said

‘I think everyone understands that both are not acceptable, so I don’t want to grade it,’ said the United boss. 

‘Both are not acceptable and that is why he gets some days off.

‘It is a difficult decision, it’s clear. But there has to be consequences for bad behaviour and when it is the second time.

‘I think it will be a (time for) reflection for him, but also for everyone else. I sent a warning at the start of the season. After Rayo Vallecano, I told [him] it was unacceptable but he was not the only one.

‘So when it’s the second time, there will be consequences. That is now what we did.

‘You have to take this measure. I don’t like it because I prefer the squad with Cristiano on board.

We miss him tomorrow. It’s a miss for us but I think it’s important for the attitude and mentality of the group.

‘I am the manager. I am responsible for the top sport culture here. I have to set standards and values and I have to control them.

‘When I got appointed, I talked to the directors about the culture and standards, and that is why they appointed me.

‘They did some background and we had talks about how I lead, what my personality is and how I do it in a strategic way, and about my standards and leadership. That is what it is about.

‘To set the highest standards, we have to live them. That is what we do at the moment. It is not something you can construct in a couple of weeks. It takes time.

‘Once again, the expectations of Manchester United are really high. The ambitions are high. Our fans, all of our stakeholders, expect results. So you have to act to certain standards and work every day on that.

‘For me, it is a strike,’ said Ten Hag. ‘Cristiano remains an important part of the squad and I count on him for the rest of the season.’

Roy Kean Supported Ronaldo

“I try and see it from the player’s point of view, and he’s obviously had enough, he’s lost his head and I think that’s been brewing over the last few weeks with Ronaldo.

“But I’ll still try to defend him. He’s a human being, he’s got flaws, he feels frustrated that he’s not been properly getting opportunities and he’s had enough.

“He’s walked down the tunnel… I think players have done a lot worse things at Manchester United, it happens, it’s human nature.

“Everybody was saying after they beat Spurs and that it was a big win, the best performance in years – absolute rubbish, Spurs were terrible.

“Manchester United managed to beat Spurs last year at home as well, and Ronaldo got a hat-trick, so he’s more than capable of getting on that pitch and making a difference.

“He has to take his punishment. Is there a way back for him? I’m not sure.

“I still think Ronaldo’s behaviour over the last week… 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. This game is full of bluffers and he is certainly not one of them. I think he cares about the club, I think he wants to play, he needs to play, and he’s a world-class player.

“People are saying he’s not the player he was ten years ago, of course he’s not! But he was the leading goalscorer last year for Man United… he went into a bad Manchester United team last year, a really bad team, and he was still the leading goalscorer.

“I think in the last few weeks he was frustrated after the City game, then in the Everton game he was a sub, he came on and he scored, then he was taken off against Newcastle and the manager then wanted to bring him on for a few minutes against Tottenham…

“Ten Hag said in the press conference that Ronaldo refused to go on, but they [the press] should have asked him, ‘When were you going to put him on?’

“Putting Ronaldo on late in the game with two or three minutes to go? I’m not too sure that was a clever move.”

Do you think Ronald was right ?