Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool player and analyst of Sky Sports, recorded it on Twitter for Erik ten Hag on Monday afternoon. The Manchester United manager has been criticized after Cristiano Ronaldo’s passing against Manchester City (6-3), which has been dismissed as ‘laughable’ by Carragher.
United went into halftime on Sunday afternoon with the city rival trailing 4-0. Ten Hag then exchanged Tyrell Malacia for Luke Shaw, but left Ronaldo on the bench. The Portuguese superstar would no longer fill in at all. The ex-trainer of Ajax chose Anthony Martial. Ten Hag explained to the English press afterwards why he did not bring in Ronaldo. “I didn’t want to bring him in, out of respect for Cristiano himself and because of his great career. In addition, it was important that I could give Martial playing time, because he needs the minutes after his injury.”
The idea that ETH got it wrong yesterday by not playing Ronaldo is laughable!
Ronaldo played at Brentford when it was 4-0 at ht!!
It’s not a dig at CR, but Rashford’s pace on the counter attack as we saw v Arsenal/Liverpool was the best option.— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) October 3, 2022
The Dutchman came under fierce criticism for not using Ronaldo, but Carragher does not agree with that. “That people think that Erik ten Hag was wrong by not letting Cristiano Ronaldo play is laughable. Ronaldo played away at Brentford when it was 4-0 at half time! This is no sneer at Ronaldo, but Marcus Rashford’s speed on the counter – as we saw against Liverpool and Arsenal – was 100 per cent the best option.”
Roy Keane caught up on Sunday afternoon after the game Sky Sports already heading for Ten Hag. The United legend called the manager’s choice “disrespectful.” “Ronaldo could have played well, because they were already finished by City anyway. The coach is all about pressure, the new magic word in football… I don’t care if he gives me twenty or 25 goals. Last season he was the club’s top scorer and even then he didn’t put much pressure. They have already lost three league games this season!”