GRAEME SOUNESS has slammed Manchester United over their treatment of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The pundit feels the striker has been harshly treated by the Red Devils after he requested to leave in the summer.
Ronaldo was denied a transfer but has since been given a back-up role, spending most of his time on the bench instead of playing.
Souness likened Ronaldo’s situation to that of Jesse Lingard last season, who was also given few opportunities to play despite being blocked from a move to West Ham.
The Scot wrote in his Daily Mail column: “He told United before the start of the season that he wanted to go. He made no pretence about that.
“What has ensued is much like Jesse Lingard’s treatment by the club last season, only on a far greater scale.
“United could have sold Lingard to West Ham in January, chose not to and then didn’t use him.”
Lingard was forced to wait until his contract expired at the end of last season to leave the club and Ronaldo could face the same fate.
The Portuguese is clearly unhappy with his treatment and reportedly refused to come on against Tottenham before storming down the tunnel before the full-time whistle.
Erik ten Hag reacted by dropping Ronaldo from the squad to face Chelsea today and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is facing a £720,00 fine.
The United boss now wants Ronaldo gone – either sold in the January window or his contract ripped up.
Ten Hag said: “After Vallecano, I told him it was unacceptable. This is the second time, there are consequences.
“I sent a warning at the start of the season, next time there have to be consequences otherwise when you are living together when you are playing together, football is a team sport and you have to fulfil certain standards. And I have to control it.
“I am the manager, I am responsible for top sport culture here and I have to set standards and values and I have to control them.”
