Manchester United

Player's reaction to being left out of win over Spurs will bolster Erik ten Hag's assessment that he is now peripheral to United.

Few clubs are able to afford a player with Ronaldo’s salary, which was the prevailing reason why he did not depart in summer. The manager will be conscious Ronaldo can still be a potent weapon – predominantly from the bench – so expect him to offer calm dispatches at Friday’s media briefing when being quizzed on the affair, the player’s worth and his future. But what he could do is accept this while continuing to fight – in the correct way – for a starting berth. This, too, was a squad member who at the start of the summer had sent out smoke signals that [he wished to leave](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jul/02/cristiano-ronaldo-tells-manchester-united-he-wants-to-leave). It is hardly Ronaldo’s fault he is in the winter of a sparkling career. Fans witnessed the finest display of their team in recent memory and saw a man who draws about £500,000 a week sulk because Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen and Anthony Elanga were preferred when his manager made changes.

Chelsea news: Cristiano Ronaldo storming off during an objectively positive night for Erik ten Haag proves why Todd Boehly should steer well clear.

It is not the first disciplinary issue with the 37-year-old this season, and it is unlikely to be the last given his new status as a substitute. "I can say that it is a combination of football and human values." Ronaldo's antics prove the circus that follows the superstar around. Ten Hag was forced to confront the issue in his post-match press conference. Ronaldo's selfish tendencies have been mostly justified by his match-winning displays on the biggest of occasions throughout an astonishing career. United have now beaten Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs at home, all teams for whom they will be competing for a Champions League qualification spot.

After Man Utd added Tottenham to their list of Big-Six scalps this season, is this the latest false dawn at Old Trafford or are Erik ten Hags side the ...

In that game, United registered their second-lowest distance this season at 101.5km, with the Portugal forward being hooked off on 72 minutes with 7.3km covered. Ten Hag's side covered just 95.5km collectively that day - only Fulham have run less in a match this term, against Newcastle earlier this month. Casemiro's defence-first mindset coupled with the midfield fluidity Ten Hag so craves could see the rebirth of Fred. Three months into the job, the Dutchman has already had his fair share of ups and downs. Through no fault of his own, Fred came to symbolise an era where Manchester United just couldn't compete with their big rivals. Erik ten Hag has not been immune from the rollercoaster ride of managing Manchester United.