Cristiano Ronaldo remained on the bench for the whole game during Man United’s humiliating 6-3 defeat at Man City.
At the post-game press conference, Erik ten Hag was asked why he decided against bringing him on.
“I wouldn’t bring him in because out of respect for Cristiano, for his big career, and the other thing was the advantage I could bring Anthony Martial, he needs the minutes but I don’t want to point it out like that,” the boss responded.
ALSO READ: Erik ten Hag Names Those Responsible For The 6-3 Defeat To Manchester City At Etihad!
Presumably, Ronaldo was just rested because there was no point in him playing with United 4-0 down after 45 minutes.
“[What went wrong?] Lack of belief. I’m surprised we didn’t bring it on the pitch,” Erik ten Hag told straight after the 6-3 defeat to Man City, as quoted by the Guardian.
“It’s four weeks ago [United’s last league game] but I had seen a different team, a different spirit and offencement [sic]. Today we didn’t have offencement, we were not on the front foot and we were not brave in possession.