Manchester United remove photo after Kevin Pietersen launched a scathing attack on Erik ten Hag labeling him a “clown.”
Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s treatment, England cricket legend Kevin Pietersen has called Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag a “clown.”
In midweek, Manchester United put in arguably their best performance of the season, defeating fellow top four rivals Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 at Old Trafford.
United were still unable to avoid controversy, however, as star man Ronaldo was seen storming down the touchline before heading into the Old Trafford tunnel with two minutes of normal time remaining.
Rumours circulated that the 37-year-old had refused to come on as a substitute after being left on the bench by ten Hag yet again.
And, after a club statement confirmed that Ronaldo would not be included in the matchday squad for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea, the Dutch manager admitted that the rumours about his striker’s omission were true.
Ten Haag alluded to the fact that this was not the first time Ronaldo had left early, having done so in a friendly against Rayo Vallecano earlier this year: “What [happened in] the talk is between Cristiano and me. The [club] statement is also clear.
“I am the manager, I’m responsible for the top sport culture here and I have to set standards and values, and I have to control them. We are in a team. After Rayo Vallecano I said it’s unacceptable but he wasn’t the only one.
“That is for everyone, when it’s the second time it will have consequence. That is now what we did. We’ll miss him tomorrow, it’s a miss for the squad but I think it’s important for the attitude, mentality for the group.”
In the midst of the saga, former cricketer Pietersen has weighed in on the debate.
With the T20 Cricket World Cup in Australia underway, Manchester United’s official Instagram account shared photos of a number of cricketing legends who have visited Old Trafford over the years, including Pietersen.
However, after requesting that his photo be removed, the ex-England man went on a rant in the comments section in support of Ronaldo.
Pietersen wrote: “Please take my picture down?
“I don’t want an association with a club that’s managed by a clown who is completely disrespecting the greatest footballer of our time.” Labelling the forward ‘the boss’, and continuing his attack on the manager, he added: “@Cristiano is the BOSS! That clown who no one will ever remember needs a wake up!”
The post appeared to have been edited to accommodate Pietersen’s request, with his photo no longer appearing after his outburst.
Manchester United remove photo after Kevin Pietersen launched a scathing attack on Erik ten Hag labeling him a “clown.”
