Erik ten Hag said it was “unacceptable” for Cristiano Ronaldo and other Manchester United players to leave Old Trafford before the end of Sunday’s friendly against Rayo Vallecano.After taking a strong team to Oslo to face Atletico Madrid on Saturday, United wrapped up their pre-season preparations against another Spanish side the following day.United drew 1-1 with Rayo at Old Trafford as star man Ronaldo made his first appearance of pre-season, playing the first 45 minutes.The 37-year-old missed the pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia due to a family issue, and the wantaway forward was pictured with Diogo Dalot leaving Sunday’s game before full-time.Ronaldo had missed the vast majority of United’s pre-season due to family reasons. He’s been pushing for a move to a club with Champions League football this summer, but his agent Jorge Mendes has struggled to find any potential suitors.Ten Hag did not speak to the media after the match but has now expressed his annoyance to broadcaster Viaplay.Ronaldo doesn’t rate Ten Hag pic.twitter.com/5MA43tjjkX— Cigano 🇵🇹 (@RealQuaresma) July 31, 2022 Dutchman’s comments appear to contradict the club’s stance as they confirmed they had ‘no issue’ with the pair.”I certainly don’t condone this. I think this is unacceptable. For everyone. We are a team and you have to stay until the end”, Ten Hag told Viaplay when asked about the incident.Viaplay reporter had a tricky question for the 52-year-old.”At the beginning of the conversation, we talked about how important it is for you to have players arrive on time and your attention to details. But Cristiano seems to arrive and leave whenever he wants, how do you manage that?”Ten Hag had a reply ready.”He was allowed to leave because of private reasons with his family, so what you are saying is absolutely not true.”🔴 Erik ten Hag calls it “unacceptable” after #MUFC players like Cristiano Ronaldo left Old Trafford at half-time during their pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano pic.twitter.com/bKhFwf0eU7— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 3, 2022 The interviewer responded: “But against Rayo, he left the game during the break.”Ten Hag said: “There were many more (as well as Ronaldo) who went home. This is unacceptable for everyone. I tell them that it’s unacceptable, that we are a team, a squad and that you should stay until the end.”He was then asked: “So you think that’s OK? Let it pass?””Definitely not,” said ten Hag.##NAJAVA_MECA_6541731##The United boss had clashed with Ronaldo during the game. During an exchange between the pair, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was seen with his arms outstretched and then with his head in his hands.His performance wasn’t one to write home about either. Aside from missing an absolute sitter, Ronaldo made little impact on the game during his 45 minutes on the pitch.Ten Hag will take charge of his first competitive match as United manager on Sunday, when they face Brighton at home in the Premier League.Erik ten Hag gaat in op het gedrag van Cristiano Ronaldo. Net als andere spelers ging hij afgelopen weekend na de rust naar huis toe. Hoe gaat de trainer van Manchester United hiermee om?⁰Het hele interview is later te zien in de Viaplay-uitzendingen van de Premier League. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/gIFJcL8QQE— Viaplay Sport Nederland (@viaplaysportnl) August 3, 2022 © Agence France-Presse/Daily Star
