Ruud van Nistelrooy and his former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo have history
Ruud van Nistelrooy declined to answer a question over Erik ten Hag’s decision to axe Cristiano Ronaldo from his Manchester United squad after PSV Eindhoven’s defeat to Arsenal in the Europa League last night.
The United superstar will play not part in Saturday’s crunch Premier League game against Chelsea following his refusal to come on as a late substitute against Tottenham on Wednesday night.
Ronaldo stormed down the the tunnel before the final whistle and is reported to have left Old Trafford before his teammates had even returned to the dressing room after soaking up the adulation of the home fans who had been celebrating an important 2-0 win.
Ten Hag has reacted to Ronaldo’s act of insubordination by dropping the 37-year-old from his first team squad and asked him to train alone as he prepares his players for the visit to Stamford Bridge.
Asked about his compatriot’s decision to take a tough line with his former teammate, Van Nistelrooy burst out in laughter and said: ‘I think I wouldn’t do justice on my team and Arsenal to not talk about the game tonight. I think that would be fair to both teams. I’m sorry about that.’
Van Nistelrooy and Ronaldo have a fair degree of history given the acrimonious way in which their relationship during their time together at United ended.
The Dutchman infamously made his heir apparent cry when he pointedly told Ronaldo he had found a new father in Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant Carlos Quiroz, not long after his own dad has died.
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Addressing that incident last year, Van Nistelrooy told Vibe with Five: ‘I know that I was wrong in that situation.
‘I immediately walked into the dressing room and I sat next to him in the dressing room and apologised for my behaviour when I’d calmed down.
‘That frustration is coming from somewhere and now when you’re 44, you look back on things and you know when things are going on around you, sometimes it can make you frustrated.
Ruud van Nistelrooy and Cristiano Ronaldo were teammates at Manchester United for three years (Picture: Getty)
‘In that incident, it led to a discussion with Cristiano but of course, you need to realise and be big enough to acknowledge that.’
Ten Hag, meanwhile, is certain to be asked about Ronaldo’s future at his pre-match press conference on Friday and will be provided with an opportunity to respond to the statement the former Real Madrid star issued last night.
Ronaldo’s message on Instagram read: ‘As I’ve always done throughout my career, I try to live and play respectfully towards my colleagues, my adversaries and my coaches.
‘That hasn’t changed. I haven’t changed. I’m the same person and the same professional that I’ve been for the last 20 years playing elite football, and respect has always played a very important role in my decision making process.
‘I started very young, the older and most experienced players examples were always very important to me.
‘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.’
MORE : Manchester United will consider letting Cristiano Ronaldo leave on a free in January
MORE : Cristiano Ronaldo dropped from Manchester United squad for Chelsea clash after Tottenham antics
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The former teammates have history.