Keane in angry rant with old pal Neville

ERIK TEN HAG says he has no regrets about leaving Cristiano Ronaldo out of his squad after Casemiro’s late header claimed a point for Manchester United at Stamford Bridge last night.

Ronaldo was disciplined after refusing to go on as substitute during United’s 2-0 win over Tottenham in midweek, but Ten Hag was vindicated by his side’s never-saydie spirit as they nicked a point in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Asked how important it was in the club’s season to score that late equaliser, Ten Hag replied: ‘Of course it was a big moment to get that point and it was a welldeserved point. But it doesn’t have any matter with Case’s [Casemiro’s] goal in this case. Because it’s more important to have the right culture, the right standards and values which you have to live by.

‘That’s why I’m happy at this stage of the season with this point, when you are capable to fight back like we did. We did it last week against Omonia Nicosia to get the win and we did it today.

‘We showed resilience and that is a really big thing for big teams, to have. And that is what Casemiro brings.’

In a fiery spat on Sky with Gary Neville, Roy Keane jumped to the defence of Ronaldo, claiming his walk-out against Tottenham was borne out of pure frustration.

The 37-year-old Ronaldo’s behaviour has been roundly condemned, with Keane’s former team-mate Neville suggesting that talks should take place this week which would see Ronaldo being axed for good at Old Trafford.

But Keane, while agreeing that Ronaldo might have played his last game for United, also showed sympathy for the five-time world player of the year, instead pinning some of the blame on Ten Hag for not summoning the United legend earlier.

‘He [Ten Hag] is disappointed Ronaldo didn’t want to go on but he’s had enough, he’s lost his head,’ said Keane. ‘And he’s been punished. But it’s been brewing for weeks. He’s a human being, he’s got flaws, he’s frustrated he’s not got opportunities. He’s had enough.’

Ten Hag took swift disciplinary action against Ronaldo – forcing him to train alone on Friday as well as omitting him from the squad at Chelsea – as their relationship hit rock bottom. Ronaldo, United’s top scorer last season, has started just two Premier League games this season and cares deeply for the club, according to Keane.

‘I’d be more worried if Ronaldo sits on the bench every week laughing his head off, not caring,’ said the Cork man. ‘I think the guy cares. This game’s full of bluffers – he’s not one of them. He loves the club, he needs to play, he wants to play. Of course he’s not the player he was ten years ago but he was still their leading scorer last season.’

But on Ronaldo’s future, Keane is convinced it ends one way. ‘Will he come back to the team before the World Cup? I don’t see it.’

And Neville believes Ronaldo’s second stint at the club needs to be ended soon. ‘That’s the second time that he’s left Old Trafford in his car before his team-mates have got into the changing room and that — from a point of view from a football dressing room – is unacceptable,’ said Neville.

‘So I think the only thing that the club and Cristiano can do is get together in this next week or so and end the relationship.’