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Ronaldo excluded from United squad for Chelsea trip after early Old Trafford exit

Cristiano Ronaldo will not be involved in the Chelsea clash
Cristiano Ronaldo will not be involved in the Chelsea clash

Cristiano Ronaldo will not be part of the Manchester United squad for Saturday's Premier League game at Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Portugal forward came in for criticism on Wednesday night as he left Old Trafford before the end of their 2-0 win over Tottenham.

"I don't pay attention to that, I will deal with that tomorrow," manager Erik Ten Hag said afterwards.

"Cristiano Ronaldo will not be part of the Manchester United squad for this Saturday's Premier League game against Chelsea," a club statement said.

"The rest of the squad is fully focused on preparing for that fixture."

The 37-year-old cut a frustrated figure trudging down the tunnel in the 89th minute, having remained an unused substitute for the win over Spurs.

Ten Hag responded to Ronaldo's actions straight after the match on Wednesday night, pledging to handle the situation.

And the former Ajax boss appears to have moved to take command of an at-best challenging situation.

Ronaldo was heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford in the summer transfer window, but no suitable option presented itself.

The veteran forward has made his feelings increasingly known on his dissatisfaction with a cameo role at Old Trafford.

But now United's Dutch boss is thought to have adopted a no-nonsense stance, putting the onus back on Ronaldo

Ronaldo later admitted on Instagram that "sometimes the heat of the moment get's the best of us" but vowed he would not be "giving in to the pressure" and would continue to work hard to win back his place in the starting line-up.

The Portuguese, who insisted he had always respected his team-mates and coaches throughout his career, said: "I started very young, the older and most experienced players examples were always very important to me.

Erik Ten Hag has dropped Ronaldo for the Chelsea game

"Therefore, later on, I've always tried to set the example myself for the youngsters that grew in all the teams that I've represented. Unfortunately that's not always possible and sometimes the heat of the moment get's the best of us.

"Right now, I just feel that I have to keep working hard in Carrington, support my teammates and be ready for everything in any given game.

"Giving in to the pressure is not an option. It never was. This is Manchester United, and united we must stand. Soon we'll be together again."

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