Cristiano Ronaldo REFUSED to come on as a late substitute in win over Tottenham

EXCLUSIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo has been AXED from the Man United squad to play Chelsea on Saturday as punishment by Erik ten Hag after he REFUSED to come on as a late sub in their win over Spurs

  • Cristiano Ronaldo stormed down the tunnel ahead of the final whistle in victory
  • The Portuguese star has been left thoroughly unimpressed by bit-part role 
  • Lid on relationship between him and Erik ten Hag blown by his public outburst 

Cristiano Ronaldo refused to come on as a substitute in Manchester United’s win over Tottenham on Wednesday night, Sportsmail can exclusively reveal.

The Portugal star blew the lid off his fragile relationship with manager Erik ten Hag by storming down the tunnel and leaving Old Trafford before full-time.

It was assumed that Ronaldo had reacted furiously to being left on the bench as an unused substitute for the second time this season after United sent on Christian Eriksen and Anthony Elanga in the 87th minute, meaning they had used only three of their five substitute options.

Cristiano Ronaldo stormed down the tunnel after being an unused substitute vs Tottenham

But it has now emerged that the 37-year-old was told to go on by Ten Hag and refused his manager’s instructions before heading for the exit.

Ten Hag said afterwards that he would ‘deal’ with the situation on Thursday, and a sullen Ronaldo was seen driving into Carrington for showdown talks.

The relationship between the pair is now at breaking point, with Ronaldo desperate to leave and Ten Hag happy to let him go.

The problem will be finding a club in the January transfer window that can afford to take Ronaldo. Alternatively, he will have to wait until the summer to move on.  

The Manchester United forward refused to come on when summoned by Erik ten Hag late on in the side's victory over Tottenham

The Manchester United forward refused to come on when summoned by Erik ten Hag late on in the side’s victory over Tottenham

United issued a statement confirming that Ronaldo has been axed from the squad for Saturday’s game at Chelsea. It read: ‘Cristiano will not be part of the Manchester United squad for this Saturday’s game against Chelsea. The rest of the squad is fully focused on preparing for that fixture.’

It’s understood that the decision to punish Ronaldo was made by Ten Hag and has the full backing of the United hierarchy.

The club wouldn’t comment when asked if the player has also been hit with a financial penalty. A maximum fine of two weeks’ wages would cost Ronaldo £1million.