Some were calling Man United's 2-0 win over Spurs their best performance since Alex Ferguson departed as manager, but once again the actions of Cristiano Ronaldo have overshadowed what the players achieved on the pitch.
Man United dominated Spurs for entire match, with Hugo Lloris' heroics and Marcus Rashford's poor form in front of goal preventing a bigger win for the home side.
However, the main talking points post-match were the actions of Ronaldo, who was seen walking down the tunnel in frustration before the final-whistle, and was later revealed to have left the stadium entirely before full-time.
While many Man United fans have been slow to criticise the club legend, his latest outcry has brought huge backlash on social media.
Ronaldo Departs Old Trafford Early
For as much as Ronaldo will always be a legend, his continuous cause for being a distraction is a nuisance. It’s not right. He should be moving on in January.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) October 20, 2022
This Ronaldo thing is inevitable. His whole career has been built on selfishness (not a bad thing) and the belief that a team should be built around him (justifiable). He was never going to cope when his powers started to fade and he wasn't the main man. Nobody beats time.
— Si Lloyd (@SmnLlyd5) October 20, 2022
Ronaldo walking off, with his team brilliantly 2-0 up, without him … that is absolutely piss poor. He is one of the greatest players of all time but to do that, at that stage, it’s a needless circus
— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawESPN) October 19, 2022
The people who blindly defend Ronaldo are a bizarre combination of teenage fanboys on the internet (for whom obsessing over certain players becomes an extension of their personality) and ex-pros who are flattered that he comes over to say hello during their pitch-side punditry
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) October 20, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo is embarrassing and don’t even bother coming at me.
The greatest performance of Erik ten Hag’s reign so far and he tries to make it about himself because United played levels better without trying to accommodate him. Again.
Just becoming sad at this point…— Alex Turk (@AlexCTurk) October 19, 2022
READ HERE: Report: Cristiano Ronaldo Situation Has Ruined Manchester United's Kit Launch
Following the result, Erik ten Hag showed impressive leadership and composure when asked about the Ronaldo situation, focusing on the performance rather than the actions of his troubled star.
"Today we celebrate this result," said the Man United manager.
Of course we think about Saturday and another big game. We have to prepare really well and the rest we deal with tomorrow.
"We had some more really good performances like Liverpool and Arsenal but this was the game from start to the end we were really good and I told the team it was very enjoyable to watch.
"The plan was to get in those spaces, but you need switch of play, dynamic and get their backline back. You have to get the spaces for the shots and it was good to see the transfer of the gameplan.
"What was first, chicken or egg? The Spurs team is a great team so far, I have analysed them and it was difficult to play them. That is why I am so happy with the performance and it was good to see."
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