Ronaldo miss summed up his season as Ten Hag labelled 'disrespectful' for playing him

The 37-year-old was handed his fourth start of the 2022/23 campaign as he searched for his 700th club career goal in Manchester United's narrow win against the Cypriot minnows.

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He played the full 90 minutes but was forced to wait for the landmark goal - but it wasn't for a lack of effort on his part.

Ronaldo had plenty of sites at goal but couldn't find the net, although he really should have scored in the 77th minute.

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Diogo Dalot managed to square the ball back with the goal gaping and no keeper in sight, and you would have bet your house on Ronaldo scoring.

But Ronaldo's shot rebounded off the post and into the grateful arms Omonia Nicosia goalkeeper Fabiano Freitas.

He struggled to hide his anger after missing several chances, with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner getting just one goal in his nine appearances for the Red Devils this campaign.

Perhaps some of that anger was more about the way his season has panned out as he's become a bit-part player under Erik ten Hag.

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There was plenty of talk about Ronaldo playing no part in Man United's 6-3 defeat at Manchester City last weekend.

Ten Hag was roundly criticised for not involving him, however, Red Devils legend Paul Scholes didn't approve of the decision for Ronaldo to be played in Cyprus.

Scholes said on BT Sport: "I think it is almost more disrespectful playing him on a Thursday night in the Europa League. This man is a world superstar.

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"I am not saying at 37 years of age he should be starting the games, the big games especially, but this is a competition that is hard to get yourself motivated for.

"I don't like saying that, but it's true when you are a big player at a big club like this."

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Ronaldo has the chance to get club goal 700 when Man United travel to Everton on Sunday night, if Ten Hag plays him that is.