Erik ten Hag did not take issue with Cristiano Ronaldo s reaction to being substituted against Newcastle United but will not commit to starting the forward when Manchester United host Tottenham.
Ronaldo made just his second Premier League start of the season in Sunday s 0-0 draw with the Magpies but was replaced by Marcus Rashford after having two second-half goals disallowed.
The Portugal great reacted angrily to his 72nd-minute withdrawal and was seen shaking his head after taking his place in the dugout.
However, speaking at a news conference ahead of Wednesday s clash with Spurs, Ten Hag said Ronaldo s drive was crucial to his success.
I think no player is happy when he comes off, especially not Ronaldo, I understand that, Ten Hag said. As long as it is in quite a normal way, I have no problem with that.
Of course, he is convinced he should stay on and score a goal, that s why he is that good.
Ronaldo claimed a hat-trick as United beat Tottenham 3-2 when the teams met at Old Trafford in March and has scored more Premier League goals against Spurs (eight) than he has against any other side.
However, Ten Hag said last season s treble did not mean Ronaldo was a certainty to start, adding: I know of it [March s hat-trick], and of course, when you make a line-up you count on several facts, but also other facts you take out of [your thinking].
EtH.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd)
Ronaldo looks more likely to appear in Ten Hag s line-up after Anthony Martial was ruled out of Wednesday s match, although United could be boosted by the return of Christian Eriksen.
Anthony Martial is not available. He is back on the pitch, but not in team training, Ten Hag added.
Christian Eriksen returned to team training today. We have to see how that works out, how he will recover, and if he has the energy tomorrow. We have to wait for that.
United have won each of their last three Premier League games against Tottenham, who last lost four consecutive league meetings with the Red Devils between April 2009 and October 2010.
Meanwhile, Spurs have lost more Premier League games against the Red Devils than they have versus any other opponent (38), and head coach Antonio Conte has suffered three defeats in as many trips to United – against no club has the Italian lost more away games in his career.
