How Man United Teammates Rallied Around Cristiano Ronaldo After Tottenham Fallout

Date: October 25, 2022

The atmosphere at Carrington took on a different tone this week as Cristiano Ronaldo returned to first-team training days after a controversial standoff with manager Erik ten Hag during Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

The Portuguese star made headlines after refusing to come on as a late substitute at Old Trafford, an action that led to his exclusion from the subsequent matchday squad against Chelsea.

Ten Hag Draws a Line | Ronaldo Left Out

Manager Erik ten Hag didn’t hesitate to enforce discipline, describing Ronaldo’s actions as “unacceptable behavior.”

His response was swift, dropping Ronaldo from the squad that traveled to Stamford Bridge, where a Casemiro header salvaged a 1-1 draw.

In Ten Hag’s words, no player is above the team. “There are values and standards at this club, and we act accordingly,” he stated after the match.

Ronaldo Returns to Training | And Receives Warm Support

Despite the recent drama, Ronaldo rejoined the main squad ahead of United’s Europa League clash on Thursday.

Interestingly, his return saw a visible shift in mood; smiles, laughter, and camaraderie dominated the session.

In footage released by Manchester United, Ronaldo looked relaxed and playful, even trying a cheeky nutmeg on David de Gea during rondo drills.

His teammates surrounded him with a sense of normalcy, indicating that the issue may be water under the bridge.

Even Victor Lindelöf, Lisandro Martínez, and Bruno Fernandes were seen competing playfully with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, reflecting a team that’s moving on.

Team Morale and Ronaldo’s 700-Goal Target

The squad is clearly aware of the significance Ronaldo holds, both as a player and as a figure in world football.

As he chases down his 700th club goal, teammates are backing him up both on and off the pitch.

The question remains: Will Ten Hag start him on Thursday, or will he remain a bench option?

Injury News and Squad Boosts

United also welcomed back Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Donny van de Beek to full training, just in time for a packed fixture list.

With Raphaël Varane injured, Maguire could see competitive action as early as Thursday.

Behind the Scenes | Fletcher, De Gea, and Martínez

Darren Fletcher, United’s technical director, was very much involved in training, barking tactical instructions alongside Luke Shaw and Tom Heaton.
David de Gea was spotted practicing passes with his weaker foot, part of Ten Hag’s efforts to improve United’s build-up play from the back.
Lisandro Martínez, ever the bulldog in defense, showed his intensity in rondos and sprint drills, stealing the ball from teammates and sharing laughs in equal measure.