Erik ten Hag looked to move past the controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's early departure from a pre-season friendly as the Dutchman prepares for his first Premier League game as Manchester United manager.
Ronaldo was one of several United players who left Old Trafford early during last weekend's 1-1 friendly draw with Rayo Vallecano.
Ten Hag gave an interview on Dutch television during the week and called such actions "unacceptable".
While he was talking broadly about all players who went home early, the focus of those quotes in the media was on Ronaldo.
The Portugal star's relationship with United has been a constant sideshow during pre-season, as he did not go on their tour of Australia and Thailand owing to personal reasons, though at the time there was frequent speculation suggesting he wanted to leave for a Champions League club.
No such move has materalised and he played the first 45 minutes against Rayo, his only action of pre-season, with Ronaldo unsurprisingly the centre of attention during Ten Hag's first Premier League pre-match news conference on Friday.
"Now I have to point. Those who left early, there were many," Ten Hag said when asked about his criticism of the players. "But the spotlight is on Ronaldo, and that's not right.
"He was part of it, but again it was a lot of players. So do you research and make [it clear that] many players left."
Pressed by a reporter on whether he was happy that Ronaldo was content at the club, the somewhat prickly Ten Hag replied: "I'm really happy, I told you before. We have a top striker, I'm happy he's here. He's in the squad and we stick to the plan."
Ten Hag was subsequently asked what measures could be implemented to ensure players do not take liberties in future, though he appeared to confirm none of those guilty on this occasion were facing disciplinary action.
"I think we said enough of it. I said it's not correct, clear. You mention it, correct them, and then move on," he said.
"I think I am satisfied with the whole team, they're working well, it's a good culture. And also Ronaldo, he's working really hard."
Ronaldo seemingly has a strong chance of starting in Sunday's visit of Brighton and Hove Albion, with their only other recognised senior striker – Anthony Martial – sustaining a hamstring injury against Atletico Madrid last Saturday.
The Frenchman, who endured a disappointing loan spell at Sevilla in the second half of last season, had looked sharp in pre-season but now appears set to begin the campaign on the sidelines.
"It's always difficult to say [how long he will be out for] with these injuries, I hope not too long," Ten Hag said.
Dundee bring in Charlie Reilly from Albion Rovers on two-year deal
Dundee have confirmed the signing of Charlie Reilly from Albion Rovers on a two-year contract.
The 21-year-old was recently named PFA Scotland League 2 Player of the Year and was on the shortlist for the players’ and Scottish Football Writers’ young player awards.
Reilly hit 24 goals and provided 19 assists in 43 games last season despite Rovers finishing bottom of the table and losing their league status.
The former Hamilton and Partick Thistle player was training with Dundee last season while playing for Rovers.
He told the club’s website: “I am delighted to get it over the line, it’s been a long time coming and I can’t wait to get started.
“The club felt right for me, I’ve been in training for a long time and the boys were good with me and it just felt right.
“Being in at the club for training last season helped massively while I was at Albion. It helped me a lot fitness wise and in a lot of other ways too.
“I’ve had good conversations with the gaffer and he’s shown belief in me, he knows what I can do. I’m really excited to work with him and to get started.”
Manager Tony Docherty added: “I have worked with Charlie previously and have seen him in action. I was impressed with him, with his ability and athleticism. The numbers and nominations he got last season speak volumes about him.
“I know I’m getting a player with talent and an eye for goal, but I know I’m getting a player with the right attitude. He’s committed to the club, moving up to the area, which is a big thing for me.
“I think he’s a player when the Dundee fans see him in full flow they will really enjoy watching him. I am delighted that he has chosen to sign for us.”
No complacency as Man City prepare for Champions League final – Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne insisted there would be no complacency as Manchester City prepare for Saturday’s Champions League final against Inter Milan.
City are the overwhelming favourites as they look to win the competition for the first time – and complete the treble – in Istanbul.
Inter finished 18 points behind champions Napoli in Serie A this season but De Bruyne is wary of the threat of Simone Inzaghi’s side.
The Belgium playmaker said: “You don’t get to the final of the Champions League without being top.
“I think they won the (cup) double in Italy. They’ve been winning basically every game at the end of the season.
“They have their system, they have their style, they do what they do really, really well and I don’t feel that anybody is going to think that it’s going to be an easy game against Inter. It’s a final so it starts 50-50.”
City have long coveted Champions League glory but endured a number of near misses in recent seasons, the closest being their runners-up finish to Chelsea in 2021.
Their frustrations contrast with their domestic success after, most notably, five Premier League title wins in the past six seasons.
Manager Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that City will need to transfer their home successes onto the European stage to be truly regarded among the great teams.
De Bruyne said: “I’ve been here eight years and it’s been incredible. Could I have come here and thought about the amount of games and trophies we would win in eight years? Probably not.
“In the end we have had a pretty impressive career at City, but it is something we have not won yet and it is something that we want to win. Hopefully it will be Saturday.
“We know how big the moment is but I feel the more relaxed you are as a team, and the team is doing pretty well with that at the moment, you get a better chance.”
De Bruyne has painful memories, literally, of that final loss to Chelsea two years ago after suffering a serious facial injury following a collision in the second half.
He said: “I don’t look at what happened two years ago with bad feelings. You go on, you move on. Ultimately, that’s football.
“Saturday is a great opportunity. It’s been an incredible year already. We can make it even better, but no matter what, it’s been great.”
‘This is not where we are going to stop’ – Michail Antonio on West Ham’s ECL win
West Ham striker Michail Antonio believes their Europa Conference League triumph is just the start of bigger things to come.
Jarrod Bowen’s last-minute goal against Fiorentina ended the Hammers’ 43-year wait for a trophy.
Their 2-1 victory also means West Ham will be back in the Europa League next season, the first time they have qualified for Europe three years running.
“It’s massive, it’s massive,” said Antonio. “Moving forward this is not where we are going to stop, we will see if we can keep carrying it on and keep pushing ourselves and keep doing better.
“Last year we got to the semi-finals of the Europa League. This year, we won the Conference League. You can see we have a good pack of boys here, we have got good confidence and hopefully we can build on that.”
Said Benrahma put West Ham ahead from the penalty spot before Giacomo Bonaventura equalised for the Italian side.
But Lucas Paqueta’s ball over the top sent Bowen through on goal to fire the Hammers to European glory.
Full-back Emerson Palmieri revealed manager David Moyes gave a victory speech and, as promised, joined his players in some dancing.
“The gaffer said, ‘thank you for everything, thank you for the title’. Of course he is happy, we are happy. So everyone is happy,” he said.
“If you take the images, when you receive the medal, you need to walk on the podium, he did the dance. It was good – for a Scotsman!”
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
