Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick has had to caution Cristiano Ronaldo to avoid being too emotional in front of television cameras after his temperamental outburst earlier this week in reaction to being substituted against Brentford.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner had looked visibly distressed on the sidelines after he had been replaced in the 71st minute by Harry Maguire and was seen arguing with his manager. The German has now revealed that Ronaldo had asked why one of the younger players wasn’t benched instead of him and the manager responded by referring to Marcus Rashford’s third goal as an illustration.
So Ronaldo, who turns 37 next month, has now actually been told to stop pouting and putting on such an emotional display in front of the cameras ahead of West Ham’s Premier League visit on Saturday.
Rangnick warned: “I don’t think this will be for the benefit of anyone — not to his benefit, not to the benefit of team-mates.
“I don’t blame him for that but any manager would wish it shouldn’t be too emotional and also in front of the TV cameras.”
The German added: “He was also asking, ‘Why me not one of the younger players?’
“The answer came when one of them scored the third goal.”
The prodigal Portuguese striker rejoined United last summer on a two-year contract with the option of another year after scoring 101 goals across 134 fixtures and winning two Serie A titles with Juventus.
Upon his return to Old Trafford, he has chalked up 14 goals across 22 appearances in all competitions, with only two of those scored across six appearances under Rangnick.
As it’s still some months before a new permanent manager is due to take over from the German in the summer, Ronaldo might well have to buckle down to learn how to impress the temporary boss if he is serious about wanting to fire the club to silverware.
Rangnick said: “At one stage Cristiano will also be a manager, maybe in a couple of years or maybe in ten years if he plays another five years and then he will have the same experience himself.
“I didn’t see he was challenging me. He just showed maybe too emotionally that he was not happy to be replaced.
“But this was not the first time. I think if you can look at the moment when Sir Alex Ferguson replaced him or other coaches like (Maurizio) Sarri in the past.
“His reaction was similar which shows it has got nothing to do with the manager — it’s about his own ambition and his own desire to stay on the pitch.”