Rio Ferdinand Shares Thoughtful Insight on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Spurs Incident
Manchester United may have secured a crucial 2–0 win over Spurs in 2022, narrowing the gap to fourth-place Chelsea, but it was Cristiano Ronaldo’s reaction that dominated headlines.
Late in the match, Cristiano Ronaldo refused to come on as a substitute.
Before the final whistle, he walked off the Old Trafford pitch and headed straight down the tunnel.
The fallout was immediate; Erik ten Hag dropped him from the squad for the upcoming Chelsea clash and had him training solo at Carrington.
While critics lined up to condemn the move, former United captain Rio Ferdinand offered a more nuanced view.
“I’d Have Been in the Queue to Talk to Him” | Ferdinand on Ronaldo
Speaking on BT Sport, Ferdinand said,
“I wouldn’t have been happy. In his statement, Ronaldo said he would’ve handled it differently. Emotions can sometimes get the better of us, we’re human.
I’d have been in the queue to ask him, ‘Why?’ But there’s always another side to every story.”
He emphasized the importance of communication, particularly when it comes to legendary players like Ronaldo:
“When you’re dealing with one of the greatest ever, you treat things differently. Under Sir Alex, there was always open dialogue, players like Ronaldo were kept in the loop. That might not be happening now.”
Ferdinand believes the lack of transparency from the club has put Ronaldo in unfamiliar, uncomfortable territory.
While he didn’t excuse the walk-off, he stressed that top players often need clarity, especially in the twilight of their careers.
“Prevention Is Key”: Ferdinand Questions Ten Hag’s Sub Decisions
Ferdinand also pointed out a contradiction in Ten Hag’s approach: why bench Ronaldo during the Manchester Derby but consider bringing him on for a few minutes against Spurs?
“He probably thought: ‘Why throw me in for a couple minutes here? Is that respectful?’ It’s easy to say, ‘You’re one of the squad,’ but greats like Cristiano have different mental rhythms.”
Ferdinand highlighted that such situations can often be defused before they happen—with better foresight and planning.
Rio Ferdinand Video On Cristiano Ronaldo’s Disrespect
Supporting His Friend, Without Justifying His Actions
While Ferdinand didn’t agree with Ronaldo’s actions, he acknowledged their friendship and spoke honestly:
“He’s my mate, I want him to do well. But in that dressing room? I’d still say, ‘What are you doing?’ That conversation would’ve happened.”
“The bottom line? When communication breaks down, problems show up. That’s what we’re seeing here.”
Looking Ahead
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored just two goals in 12 Premier League appearances this season, a far cry from the standards he’s set over two decades.
As he serves his suspension against Chelsea, all eyes remain on how the situation unfolds between him and Ten Hag.
MORE RELATED:
- Top Best 3 Manchester United All-Time Goal Scorers With Strange Personalities
- Best Finesse Scoring Premier League Attackers 2022
- Best Performing Manchester city Midfielders In 2022
Discover more from Labaran Yau
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
