Former Ireland international Andy Townsend expressed his surprise at Ronaldo‘s reaction while defending Rangnick’s decision
“I’m surprised at Ronaldo, I really am,” he said on talkSPORT.
“I think he should be better than that.
“It’s not just about him; it is most of the time, but it shouldn’t always be. Tonight, it’s about getting the job done, getting the three points.
“We can see Rangnick talking to Cristiano Ronaldo, trying to keep him on side a little bit – Ronaldo didn’t look like he was having too much of it.”
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand came to Ronaldo’s rescue when he explained that his former teammate was disappointed with the substitution, because he wanted to boost his scoring tally.
“He’s looking to score goals,” said Ferdinand.
“He sees goals there. Two-nil up, he’s thinking, ‘Right, I’ve got the chance to nail a couple in and get up the goalscoring charts’.
“You see the disappointment, but the manager I thought he handled it well.”
BBC football writer Phil McNulty also lamented the superstar’s reaction.
“It was a needless exhibition by Ronaldo, who, for all his brilliance, still gives off the air of a player and personality who almost thinks he is bigger than Manchester United,” he wrote for the BBC.
“Ronaldo does himself no good with such antics – especially when the manager’s change worked so successfully.
“It is not the first time this season that Ronaldo‘s ego has appeared to override team considerations. Rangnick‘s explanation that he was conserving the 36-year-old for the games ahead was far more acceptable than his superstar’s behaviour.”
