RONALDO ANNOYED AT SITTING ON THE BENCH IN MANCHESTER DERBY - TEN HAG

Read Time:1 Minute, 21 Second

According to manager Erik ten Hag, Cristiano Ronaldo was ‘p***ed off’ about not playing in the Manchester derby but he is still happy at Manchester United.

Ronaldo was left on the bench as United lost 6-3 at the Etihad on Sunday, with Ten Hag later saying that he didn’t bring on the Portugal star out of ‘respect for his big career’.

Although Ronaldo is anticipated to play in Thursday’s Europa League group match in Cyprus versus Omonia Nicosia, the circumstance has increased rumours that he could quit Old Trafford in January.

Ten Hag said: ‘He’s not happy that he wasn’t playing Sunday, but that wasn’t the question. The question was about his mood when he’s around and if he’s happy. Of course, he wants to play, he’s p***ed off when he’s not playing.

“I can’t see that relation, that he’s not coming when we’re 4-0, 5-1, 6-1 down, I didn’t bring him out of respect. It’s nothing to do with what’s happening for the future or January or next year.

“I don’t see he’s unhappy. He’s happy, he’s training well, he’s enjoying it. Everyone is training well, there’s a good spirit, that’s not the point, it’s important as it’s a base to work well.

“I never talk about my conversations with the players, it’s between us, that’s quite clear. Especially Cristiano, he’s really competitive, as we all know. He’s not happy when he’s not playing.

“But I already said and I have to repeat, he’s training well, he has a good mood, he’s motivated and he gives his best, that is what we expect.”