Ronaldo, replacing against Spurs, had left the stadium before the end of the match.

"Cristiano Ronaldo will not be part of Manchester United's squad for this Saturday's Premier League game against Chelsea. The rest of the squad is fully focused on preparing for this game," Manchester United wrote in a statement on Thursday.

According to English journalists, the 37-year-old Portuguese star told his coach Erik ten Hag, with whom he has a strained relationship, that he did not want to come into play in the final minutes of the match against Tottenham.

The Dutch manager said after the encounter that he would 'settle' the matter (this) on Thursday and would, according to some media, have the backing of his management in his choice to rule out Ronaldo for the game at Chelsea.

A little later in the evening, the Portuguese star admitted his mistake and wanted to make amends.

"I just think I have to keep working hard at Carrington (the club's training center, editor's note), supporting my team-mates and being ready for anything in any game. Yielding to pressure is not a option", he wrote on his Instagram account.

"This is Mancester United, and united we must stay that way. Soon we will be together again," he continued.

Since the end of last season and the Reds Devils' failure to qualify for the Champions League, Cristiano Ronaldo has been looking to leave the northern English club.

But his wish to join a team engaged in C1 could not succeed.

Cristiano Ronaldo warming up with Manchester United before the match against Tottenham at Old Trafford, October 19, 2022 Oli SCARFF AFP

The five-time Ballon d'Or had missed the pre-season tour of Australia and Asia officially for family reasons.

And in a friendly against Rayo Vallecano in July in Manchester, his first game under Ten Hag, he had already left before the end of the match after being substituted at half-time.

The next winter transfer window, which could interest both Ronaldo and his leaders, will take place from January 1 to 31, 2023.

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as I've always done throughout my career, I try to live and play respectfully towards my colleagues, my adversaries end my coaches.

That hasn't changed.

Right now, I just feel that I have to keep working hard in Carrington, support my teammates and be ready for everything in any given game.

Giving in the pressure is not an option.

This is Manchester united, and united, we must stand.

Soon we'll be together again.

© 2022 AFP