The Hag didn’t put Ronaldo in the derby for pride. The United legend criticised his move

The match between Manchester City and Manchester United offered nine goals and two hat-tricks. United’s 3:6 defeat saw their star player Cristiano Ronaldo missing the entire match on the substitutes’ bench.

The Manchester derby was supposed to be the highlight of the football Sunday. Although the Citizens were the clear favourites, the Red Devils have picked up considerably in recent weeks, winning four league rounds in a row. One of which was against Arsenal.

At the Etihad, though, it was a clear-cut affair. The home side’s concert was started by a great goal from Phil Foden, followed by two shots from the unstoppable Erling Haaland, and before the break Foden again increased the score to 4:0. It was done and dusted.

The four goals in David de Gea’s net were watched by the star Cristiano Ronaldo from the bench. The winner of five Ballon d’Ors, somewhat surprisingly, didn’t even go into the game after the change of sides, with the Frenchman Anthony Martial getting the nod.

“I didn’t put him on because of respect for his career. At the same time, it was advantageous to put Anthony Martial in the game, who needs minutes, but I don’t want to hide behind that,” explained Erik Ten Haag after the game.

It wasn’t the first time this season that Ronaldo started on the bench, but it was the first time he sat out the entire game. It also depends on his form, he has only scored from the penalty spot in the Europa League against Sheriff Tiraspol this year through all competitions. In the league he is still on a dry spell.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo tried to leave the club in the summer. He wanted to play in his beloved Champions League, and was open to a return to Sporting Lisbon of Portugal. But Manchester ultimately failed to agree a transfer fee with anyone.

Cristiano’s non-recruitment was criticised by Manchester United legend Roy Keane in the Sky Sports studio on Sunday. He thinks that the regular omission from the starting line-up is not appropriate given the qualities of the Portuguese legend.

“I think United are treating Ronaldo with no respect. They should have let him go in the summer transfer window. The picture is that Haag are not planning to build Ronaldo. It’s going to make the season even uglier than it already is,” thinks Keane.

Source: Sky Sports