Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand says he disagrees with the decision to substitute Cristiano Ronaldo at the weekend.
Ronaldo was taken off with Manchester United drawing 0-0 against Newcastle on Sunday, replaced with Marcus Rashford in the 72nd minute.
The superstar did not look happy and Ronaldo was visibly unhappy to be taken off. Former teammate Ferdinand was not a fan of the decision.
Ferdinand says he disagrees with taking Ronaldo off
Ferdinand told Five he disagreed with taking Ronaldo off, with Manchester United chasing a goal.
He said: “He looked disgusted with the decision. Obviously he’s not happy. I always think keep your goalscorers on the pitch.
“I agree with bringing Marcus [Rashford] on but you keep your goals on the pitch, who else is going to get you the goals You don’t take someone off who is your main goal-getter.”
Despite Ronaldo’s quality, he has scored only two goals this season and struggled to make an impact in the first 72 minutes against Newcastle.
Ten Hag is looking at the bigger picture
Erik ten Hag spoke after the game and explained his decision to take Ronaldo off was not a choice made purely looking at Sunday’s match.
He was taking a wider view, with United playing the previous Thursday night, and with games upcoming against Tottenham and then Chelsea.
Ten Hag told the club website: “We have to cover four games in 10 games. For the strikers, I want to keep them fresh and we have to rotate them.”
Anthony Martial has been out with his third injury of the season. There is extra pressure now on Rashford and Ronaldo to split the load and Ten Hag will hope his strikers can deliver in this challenging week ahead, having drawn a blank on Sunday.
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