Roy Keane Blasts Ten Hag’s Handling of Cristiano Ronaldo's Refusal to Be Subbed In

Roy Keane Blasts Ten Hag’s Handling of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Refusal to Be Subbed In

Roy Keane has openly dismissed Erik ten Hag‘s stance regarding Cristiano Ronaldo‘s refusal to come on as a late substitute in Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.

The Manchester United legend suggests that the issue runs deeper than a moment of defiance and could mark the end of Ronaldo’s second spell at the club.

What Really Happened?

With United comfortably leading Spurs, Ten Hag attempted to bring on Ronaldo in the dying minutes.

Instead of entering the pitch, Ronaldo stormed off down the tunnel before the final whistle and reportedly left Old Trafford altogether, before his teammates had returned to the dressing room.

The fallout was swift.

Ten Hag dropped Ronaldo from the squad to face Chelsea the following weekend and ordered him to train alone.

Despite the disciplinary action, Ten Hag insisted that Ronaldo remain part of his plans “moving forward.”

Roy Keane’s Reaction | A Player’s Frustration, Not Arrogance

Roy Keane, speaking on Sky Sports, didn’t condone Ronaldo’s walk-off, but he didn’t condemn it either.

Instead, he empathized with the 37-year-old’s frustration over limited game time.

“The manager made a decision to leave him out. Ronaldo didn’t want to go on for the last two or three minutes, that’s not ideal, but it’s human,” Keane said.
“He’s had enough. It’s been brewing. I think he’s lost his head.”

The former United captain continued:

“People talk about him not being the player he was 10 years ago, of course not. But he was still United’s top scorer last season. He loves the club. He wants to play. I’d be more concerned if he was on the bench laughing, not caring.”

Is Ronaldo’s United Career Over?

While Keane sympathized with Ronaldo, he also hinted that this may be the final straw in a deteriorating relationship with the club.

“Is there a way back for him? I’m not sure,” Keane admitted.
“Will he return before the World Cup? I doubt it.”

Despite Ten Hag’s attempts to keep the door open, the tension between the manager and Ronaldo is clear and growing.

The real question now isn’t just about discipline, but whether United can afford to keep a player of Ronaldo’s stature if he’s not playing regularly.

Final Word

Cristiano Ronaldo’s refusal to come on may seem like a moment of ego, but Keane paints a different picture, one of a proud professional, sidelined and boiling over with frustration.

Whether there’s a path to reconciliation remains to be seen, but the writing may already be on the wall.