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Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has been publicly humiliated outside Old Trafford ahead of tonight’s Premier League clash with Chelsea. The veteran will be missing from the showdown after throwing a strop against Tottenham in midweek. And Paddy Power have now been up to their usual antics by poking fun at the 37-year-old…
Ronaldo is making the news for all the wrong reasons at present, with the United star paying the price for refusing to come on against Tottenham in midweek.
In the closing stages of that clash, the Portugal international stormed down the tunnel with Erik ten Hag then throwing Anthony Elanga on instead.
Ronaldo is primed to miss today’s match with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as a result, with the forward now training with the Under-21s.
And Paddy Power have decided to mock the former Juventus and Real Madrid star by erecting a bench outside Old Trafford, featuring a plaque poking fun at his current situation.
“In honour of Ronaldo’s second stint at Man United. £480,000 a week to sit on a bench,” the plaque reads.
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Ronaldo has, so far this season, struggled to get into the United team.
He’s made just two Premier League starts, with the Red Devils failing to win matches against Brentford and Newcastle when he’s been picked from the beginning.
And Ronaldo has netted just twice as well, with those goals coming against Everton and Sheriff.
Paddy Power explained their stunt by saying: “While the Manchester United’s first team make their way to Stamford Bridge for today’s clash, Paddy Power made an effort to lift wantaway star Cristiano Ronaldo’s spirits by erecting a tribute to his second spell at the Red Devils.
“The mischievous bookie made its way to an eerily quiet Old Trafford today to place a bench to mark the 5-time Ballon d’Or winner’s forgetful encore at the Premier League giants with a plaque that read: ‘In honour of Ronaldo’s second stint at Man United. £480,000 a week to sit on a bench.’
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“The tongue-in-cheek stunt comes amid increasing speculation relating to CR7’s future at the club after he stormed to the dressing rooms before the final whistle during Wednesday night’s 2-0 victory over Spurs.
“Following the outburst, the club’s manager Erik ten Hag stated that the prolific forward would not be in the squad for today’s crucial match against Chelsea.”
Ronaldo is certainly down in the dumps at United.
But Ten Hag, speaking ahead of the game with Chelsea, insisted he was still convinced the forward can be a key player for the club.
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“Both,” he replied when asked if he wanted his No 7 to stay and whether he would be remaining at the club.
“It [dropping Ronaldo] is for this game and then we continue. It’s a strike.
“As we said in the statement, Cristiano remains an important part of the squad and I count on him for the rest of the season. We want to fulfil our ambitions.”
And those comments came after he’d said: “What (happened in) the talk is between Cristiano and me. The (club) statement is also clear.
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“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.”
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