Ten Hag: I didn’t play Ronaldo in derby ‘out of respect’

Erik ten Hag says he did not bring Cristiano Ronaldo off the bench during Manchester United’s 6-3 defeat at Manchester City “out of respect”.

The 37-year-old was an unused substitute for the first time this season as City thumped United at the Etihad on Super Sunday.

Marcus Rashford’s return from a muscle injury saw Ronaldo drop out of United’s starting line-up and despite manager Ten Hag making five changes during the game, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was not one of them.

Asked why Ronaldo did not feature, Ten Hag revealed he did not want to insult the forward by introducing him with United already 4-0 down.

“I didn’t bring him on out of respect for his big career,” the Dutchman said at his post-match press conference.