Piers Morgan has launched a scathing attack on Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag - branding him an "arrogant, deluded twerp" for his treatment of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ten Hag opted to leave Ronaldo out of his starting lineup to face Manchester City on Sunday - a game which United lost 6-3. United were four goals down at half-time with Ronaldo staring on with a vacant expression on his face, alongside fellow surprise substitute Casemiro.
Between them the pair have 10 Champions League winners medals, but it was only Casemiro who got on the field as Ronaldo was left sat on the bench the entire afternoon. Speaking after the match, Ten Hag insisted his decision not to bring on Ronaldo was purely "out of respect for his career", though Morgan has now slammed the United manager for his actions.
“Imagine benching @Cristiano for Utd’s biggest game of the season, then using five other subs as they’re hammered into oblivion, and then claiming you did it ‘out of respect’ for him?” Morgan tweeted.
“Ten Hag is an arrogant deluded twerp and the way he’s treating Ronaldo is disgraceful.”
Former United defender Gary Neville defended Ten Hag, commenting: "I get his point to be honest . Bringing him on at 4-0 and 6-1 would have been an insult.
"ETH may not have delivered the line correctly and probably would have been best not saying it. (Although I like his honesty)."
But Morgan was having none of it, as he chimed back at Neville: "Oh come off it.. you know Ronaldo would have been desperate to come on, whatever the score." The TV personality shares a good relationship with the Portuguese striker, having previously interviewed him on 'Piers Morgan's Life Stories'.
Morgan has continually declared Ronaldo is the greatest footballer in history. He further tried to back up his point on Ten Hag's treatment by sharing a video of Roy Keane's verdict on Ronaldo being benched, which agreed with that of Morgan's.
“United are showing disrespect to Ronaldo," Keane ranted on Sky Sports. "I think he should have been let go this summer during the transfer window. I don’t think the manager should have held onto him just for him to sit on the bench.
"He is one of the greatest players ever and he had options to leave this summer. The idea that he had no options is rubbish. He had four or five very good options.
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Action Images via Reuters)“Ok, Anthony Martial comes off the bench and scores twice so you can justify it but this pattern could turn ugly. He will be motivated with the World Cup coming up but if he is always sitting on the bench, it is not good.”
United fell behind to two goals each from City duo Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, who both later completed hat-tricks. Antony had given United a glimmer of hope prior to them falling 6-1 behind, before Martial's two late strikes salvaged at least a little bit more pride on a miserable day for the Red Devils.
