Dutch coach Erik ten Hag of Manchester United explained his decision not to play the team's star, Cristiano Ronaldo, stating it was out of respect for the player's history following the historic loss to Manchester City, finishing 3-6. Manchester United suffered a significant defeat to their neighbor, Manchester City, with a score of 6-3 on Sunday during the ninth round of the English Premier League.
Erik ten Hag opted not to field the Portuguese star against Manchester City and instead brought on Frenchman Anthony Martial, who scored the second and third goals for the Red Devils. Ten Hag said in statements to Sky Sports after the match, "I didn't bring him (Cristiano) on after we were down four goals at the end of the first half, out of respect for Cristiano and his history and great career." He added, "The other thing is the advantage that Anthony Martial gave to the lineup; he needs to play more minutes."
Cristiano Ronaldo has not started in Manchester United's last five matches, a situation the former Real Madrid star is not accustomed to, with the last time he didn't start for five consecutive matches being in 2003 when he was with Sporting Lisbon.
