That's why Ronaldo was not kept in United's eleven.

md gafur

23 Aug, 2022

That's why Ronaldo was not kept in United's eleven.

After Manchester United lost their first two matches in the English Premier League, an invisible sword was hanging over coach Eric ten Haag. Ten Haag became the first manager in Manchester United's history in more than 100 years to lose his first two matches.

In such a situation, Liverpool, who have brought back the happy memories of their golden days in the last few years, are ahead in the third match. And it was in that match that Ten Haag made some bold decisions that require courage to take, and confidence to handle the aftermath. Four changes to the XI - leaving captain Harry Maguire out would have been big news, if not for Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench!

A match against a big opponent like Liverpool, where there is no substitute for experience to win, Ten Haag kept out a player with big match experience like Ronaldo! Anthony Elanga, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford lined up the attack in a 2-1 win, however, Ten Haag proved the logic of his decision. Before this match, former players like Wayne Rooney said that Ronaldo should be kept in order to speed up the attack.

Seeing Ronaldo on the United bench during the kick-off, one or two people may think that the Portuguese star is already leaving Old Trafford. Did Ten Haag send him a message to leave in the big game? Actually nothing. Ten Haag claims that Ronaldo has been kept out of the eleven because of the thought of rotating players.

After winning, he told the journalists, "I have to take the decision." There is a squad, which must be used well. We have to play 50-60 matches, match by match we will see which team can be formed. There is nothing to say about Harry Maguire or Ronaldo. They are great players. Apart from the immediate future, they will have a role to play in the coming days.

Ten Haag then provided another reason for not keeping Ronaldo. Against Liverpool, he wants to play 'pressing football.' That is why Ronaldo was not his first choice in attack. 'We know Liverpool is a very good team, and we have to press against them,' he said. This requires strength (in attack). That is why Rashford, Sancho, and Elanga were chosen. In the 86th minute of the game, Ten Haag replaced Ronaldo with Rashford.

Since Ten Haag's appointment as United coach was announced, there has been speculation about Ronaldo's ability to adapt to his game strategy. When reporters asked Ten Haag the same question yesterday, he said, "I think he can" (adapt). He has played for a variety of coaches and has adapted to various playing styles. He's always performing, so why shouldn't he.

Ten Haag also dismissed Ronaldo's 37-year-old age barrier, "Age is not a problem." Even after his age, if he plays well, if he performs, he must be called well. That being said, a question remains. If Ronaldo's age wasn't a hindrance, why did Ten Haag choose a relatively young player to fuel the attack.