Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has revealed his reason for not bringing Cristiano Ronaldo on in their 6-3 defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.
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The 37-year-old was an unused substitute as the Red Devils suffered a heavy defeat at the Etihad, despite the side managing to score three times in the second half.
Hat-tricks from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden had put the game to bed with 20 minutes remaining, with Antony's long-range strike and Anthony Martial's brace after being introduced proving to be consolation goals.
Speaking after the game, Ten Hag explained that he did not choose to bring Ronaldo on out of "respect for his career".
"I wouldn't bring him in because out of respect for Cristiano, for his big career," he said, according to Manchester Evening News.
"And the other thing was the advantage I could bring Anthony Martial, he needs the minutes but I don't want to point it out like that."
Ronaldo has started United's past five league matches on the bench, and has scored just one goal in eight appearances in all competitions so far this season.
The Portuguese attempted to construct a move away from United in the recent transfer window but could not find a suitor in Europe's top five leagues.
Clubs such as Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Napoli, among others, were credited with interest in his signature.
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