Ten Hag: “Cristiano is sick”
The United coach clarified why Cristiano Ronaldo missed Thursday’s EFL Carabao Cup clash against Aston Villa. “World Cup? Nothing of that...”
Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from Manchester United’s 4-2 EFL Carabao Cup win against Aston Villa was a complete mystery. Everything involving the Portuguese star is magnified and his exclusion prompted fears about whether it was anything serious enough for him to miss the World Cup. Cristiano is in Fernando Santos’ 26-man squad for 2022 Qatar but is still on duty for United, who face Fulham on Sunday in the final Premier League game before domestic competition stops for the World Cup.
Ten Hag explained why Cristiano missed the Villa game, insisting that it was not a decision to rest him due the proximity to the World Cup.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is sick and that’s why he hasn’t been called up,” he began by telling the media: “I don’t know if he’ll be ready for Sunday. It’s hard to predict how he’ll recover until then, but I’m not worried about that at the moment.” When asked if it was a cautionary measure, to avoid injury with the World Cup coming up, he replied, “None of that, he’s sick and that’s why he doesn’t play.”
"World Cup" None of that, he's sick and that's why he doesn't play..."
We’ll see if Cristiano finally recovers in time for United’s last game before the World Cup break. Ten Hag’s team bring the weekend fixtures to a close at Fulham on Sunday evening. The team is currently fifth, three points behind Tottenham and four behind Newcastle.