Frank de Boer has nothing good to say about Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese was finally allowed to show it from the start in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, but was unable to make the difference against Newcastle United (0-0) for Manchester United. Erik ten Hag pulled Ronaldo to the side after 72 minutes, after which the 37-year-old attacker expressed his dissatisfaction with his manager’s decision with a lot of noise.
“Now it’s all about the face Ronaldo made when he was substituted on and sat on the bench,” Frank de Boer said in the studio after the scoreless draw at Old Trafford. ViaPlay. “All of that doesn’t help. Then he tries to win a soul at Antony, which is difficult for a trainer. That is very bad, because you know: as a trainer, the press conference is about this moment. Ten Hag is asked about it and so is Ronaldo. Ten Hag has to defend himself continuously, that is not good.”
?? Frank de Boer about style icon Ronaldo: “He can make it, but a young boy is sawn off for it”.#ViaplaySportNL #ViaplayFootball pic.twitter.com/taK0wImB9x
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Ronaldo clearly did not agree with Ten Hag’s decision to replace him in the second act for Marcus Rashford. Cursing, the Portuguese walked to the sidelines, after which Antony spoke a few words of encouragement to him. Once on the bench, Ronaldo showed his displeasure by shaking his head. Jaap Stam also noticed the attacker’s dissatisfaction. “As everyone knows, this has been going on for a long time. Of course you have the cabal with the Brazilians and the Portuguese. They meet every day and they talk about it. Of course, everyone of them also thinks that Ronaldo should play. The headlines are already made when you see him walking off the field.”
De Boer also criticized Ronaldo prior to the Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United. The attacker wore an earring during the warm-up. “He has to be busy with the game,” said De Boer. “He can make it, but a young boy will be sawn off for it. He is an example, but I don’t think this is an example.”