LONDON (UNITED KINGDOM), Aug. 3 (dpa/EP) –
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said it was “unacceptable” that his player Cristiano Ronaldo, along with other players, left Old Trafford before the end of the friendly match between the ‘red devils’ and Rayo Vallecano.
United tied (1-1) with Rayo, from LaLiga Santander, at Old Trafford in a game in which Cristiano Ronaldo, who was not in previous preseason games, made his first appearance with 45 minutes of play.
But the 37-year-old Portuguese, who missed the pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia due to a family problem, was photographed with Diogo Dalot leaving Sunday’s match before full time.
Ten Hag did not speak about it to the media after the game but, on the Viaplay radio station, he showed his discontent. “There were many more (besides Ronaldo) who went home. This is unacceptable for everyone. I tell them that it is unacceptable, that we are a team and that they must stay until the end,” he said.
The Dutch manager, a new face at Old Trafford, will face his first competitive game as United manager next Sunday, when Brighton arrive at Old Trafford on matchday one of the Premier League.