Erik ten Hag speaks out on Cristiano Ronaldo reaction to Newcastle substitution

Erik ten Hag insists he understood Cristiano Ronaldo’s reaction to being substituted against Newcastle on Sunday.

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The 37-year-old was hauled off with 18 minutes remaining and his side still searching for a goal that would have broken the deadlock.

Ronaldo was clearly annoyed with his manager’s decision as he trudged towards the dugout before being replaced by Marcus Rashford.

Explaining the change in the immediate aftermath of the game, Ten Hag said: ‘We have to cover four games in 10 days, and especially for the strikers I want to keep them fresh,’ said Ten Hag.

‘I want to keep them all fresh, so we have to rotate there. We have some problems there, Martial is not available in this moment, so we have a player less.

‘Rashy was under the weather so he didn’t have the energy for a whole game so we have to plan that, we have to plan that to cover the four games because we want to win all the four games – or, at least, get a result in all four games.’

Pressed on Ronaldo showing signs of dissent in his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow night’s match against Tottenham, Ten Hag said: ‘I think no player is happy when he comes off and especially not Ronaldo. I understand that.

‘As long as it’s a quiet, normal way, no problem with that. Of course he is convinced he should stay on and he should score a goal. That’s why he is that good.

‘The start of the season we try to plan for the overload on players and you see around many clubs now many injuries are coming up. You can’t avoid it, tough football injuries will come.

‘This many games in a long season and what a huge problem is players don’t get a break in the summer, a huge overload and they can’t recover.

‘You have to manage that and protect players not only from injury but to keep them in the right form.’

Ronaldo was involved in the flashpoint of a game which saw United drop more valuable points in the race for the top four when his goal was ruled out at the start of the second period.

The United forward and a clutch of his teammates surrounded referee Craig Pawson who prolonged the former Real Madrid star’s wait for a first Premier League goal of the season.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Football Association confirmed United had been charged with a failure to control their players and have until Thursday to respond.

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