Ronaldo insists fans should be 'respected' after stop at Burnley
Cristiano Ronaldo insists fans ‘are and will always be the best in football’ as Man United star says supporters should be ‘respected’ in social media post – after coming under fire for storming down the tunnel at Burnley
- Manchester United only managed to scrape a point against rock-bottom Burnley
- Interim boss Ralf Rangnick had dropped star Cristiano Ronaldo to the bench
- The Portuguese international replaced Edinson Cavani in the second half
- But the 37-year-old was left frustrated and failed to applaud the fans at full time
Cristiano Ronaldo has hit back after he was criticised for storming down the tunnel following Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Burnley on Tuesday.
Interim boss Ralf Rangnick dropped Ronaldo to the bench in favour of the more combative Edinson Cavani but was brought on as a second-half substitute at Turf Moor.
The last time Rangnick took Ronaldo out of the action, at Brentford last month, the Portugal international had a major strop and this time proved no different.
Cristiano Ronaldo hit back after he was criticised for storming down the tunnel following Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Burnley
The forward headed straight for the dressing room instead of applauding the away fans
The forward made little impression after replacing Cavani in the 66th minute and after United only managed to scrape a point against rock-bottom Burnley he stormed straight down the tunnel.
The 37-year-old failed to applaud the travelling fans at full time and instead headed straight for the dressing room.
Ally McCoist expressed his disappointment in Ronaldo as Gary Neville also criticised his former team-mate.
Ronaldo was dropped to the bench but replaced Edinson Cavani (left) in the 66th minute
‘I do feel he should be acknowledging the fans, that should always be done,’ McCoist told talkSPORT.
‘The travelling fans in particular, certainly in my experience, can be the more vocal of your team’s support and they travel long distances and spend an awful lot of money.
The 37-year-old faced criticism for not thanking the travelling supporters
‘I can understand that sometimes the overall disappointment of defeat [or a draw, in this instance] getting to you and just wanting to get off the park.
‘However, I think you should always go over to your travelling support and give them a thank you.’
Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given added: ‘Ronaldo’s a superstar, and he doesn’t look overly happy at the moment.
‘He stormed down the tunnel last night again; that doesn’t sit well with away fans who’ve travelled to Burnley on a wet and cold night.
‘It’s not difficult to go and clap your own fans, so there’s a lot of issues there at the minute.’
Ronaldo appeared to respond to the criticism on Wednesday as he posted a picture of him greeting a young fan to his Twitter account.
‘Children are and will always be the best thing the world has to offer, and we must protect them at all costs,’ Ronaldo wrote, alongside the photo.
‘Supporters are and will always be the best in football, and we must respect everything they face and endure for their clubs.’
He appeared to respond to the criticism pointing a photo of him greeting a young supporter
Ronaldo has not been shy to hide his frustration at times this season and threw a strop after being subbed at Brentford back in January.
The Portuguese star was fuming when he was replaced by Harry Maguire in the 71st minute with United 2-0 up and Rangnick keen to switch to a back three to protect his side’s lead.
Ronaldo trudged off muttering to himself, threw his jacket to the ground in frustration as he sat down on the bench and was later seen questioning the decision to withdraw him.
The Portugal international also threw a strop after being subbed at Brentford back in January
Ronaldo sat on the steps rather than in a seat among the other players after coming off
He also stormed down the tunnel in frustration earlier this season after United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea in November.
The Portugal international started the game on the bench after being dropped by United’s then-caretaker manager Michael Carrick.
Ronaldo did replace goalscorer Jadon Sancho in the 64th minute at Stamford Bridge but struggled to make an impact and vented his frustration after the final whistle.
That was not the first-time Ronaldo had stormed down the tunnel either – having previously left the pitch in frustration following United’s 1-1 draw against Everton.
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