Graeme Souness believes Erik ten Hag is showing Cristiano Ronaldo ‘disrespect’ by leaving him on the bench for Manchester United. 



 Erik-ten-Hag-Man-Utd-1 Erik-ten-Hag-Man-Utd-1 © PA Images The Portugal international was an unused substitute in the 6-3 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, with Ten Hag claiming he opted not to introduce him out of respect for his career.

 “I didn’t bring him on out of respect for his big career,” the Dutchman said at post-match. “And the other thing, there was then the advantage I could bring Antony Martial on. He needs the minutes but I don’t want to point it out like that.” 

 Ronaldo made it clear he wanted to leave the club in the summer but United remained firm and insisted he would not be sold. 

 Souness believes they should have allowed him to leave if Ten Hag isn’t going to play him as they are now showing arguably the greatest player in history great “disrespect”. He said on talkSPORT: “Ronaldo has an argument, he can sit with any group of players in the history of the game, if they’re still alive, he can sit in any room with any of them and say ‘I think I’m the best player ever’ he has an argument for that.