Ronaldo suggests he 'regrets' walking out during match but slams Ten Hag's 'excuses'

The 37-year-old, who didn't feature in Man United's 2-0 win over Tottenham, stole all the headlines when he made his way down the tunnel at Old Trafford before the final whistle.

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It later emerged that Ronaldo had refused Erik ten Hag's orders to come on during the final moments of the match.

Ronaldo was widely condemned for his behaviour and Ten Hag duly suspended him for the Red Devils' next match.

In his interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo somewhat expressed remorse for his actions.

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"Piers I will be honest with you, it's something that I regret, to leave the stadium. Probably, or maybe no, I don't know," Ronaldo said on TalkTV.

"It's difficult to tell you 100 per cent but let's say I regret it, but in the same way I felt provoked by the coach. Not allowed for me, a coach to put me in three minutes in a game.

"Sorry, I'm not that kind of player. I know what I can give to the teams."

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This isn't the first time Ronaldo has been caught making an early exit from a Man United match having left Old Trafford before the end of their pre-season clash against Rayo Vallecano in July.

"Me and eight players [left early]," he said on the episode.

"But they [the media] mentioned only my name…everyone did that… Last year, many players did the same.

"In that game eight players did the same but they only speak about the black sheep which is me, which is, I completely understand, okay. It's done, I apologise to the coach and for me, the chapter was closed."

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Ronaldo also suggested that Ten Hag's earlier treatment of him led to the tunnel incident, the Dutchman opting not to play the five-time Ballon d'Or at all during Man United's defeat at Manchester City.

When asked why Ronaldo didn't feature, Ten Hag said he didn't bring the player on out of respect for his career.

But Ronaldo isn't buying it as he slammed the Man United manager's 'excuses.'

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"He doesn't respect me the way I deserve. But it is what it is. This is why probably, in the game against Tottenham, I left," Ronaldo said.

"Excuses, I see as excuses. I saw many things that, I don't want to criticise him.

"He can have a different opinion than me. They [managers] choose the players that they think is better for the team.

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"I respect that but excuses all the time you know; the excuses have short legs, cannot excuse all the time, which is things that don't make sense.

"Okay, you don't put me against Manchester City because of respect for my career and you want to put me three minutes against Tottenham. It doesn't make sense…

"I think he did it on purpose because, for example, in a national team the other clubs, if the coach wants to put me five minutes, if someone injured or if they really need me, I will help. But in that way I felt provoked not only because of that game, but before."

More on Cristiano Ronaldo:

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Cristiano Ronaldo tells Piers Morgan he feels 'betrayed' by Manchester United, has no respect for Erik ten Hag and blasts state of club in explosive interview

Piers Morgan reveals Cristiano Ronaldo ASKED HIM to do interview which has stunned Manchester United and explains motives behind stinging attack on club and Erik ten Hag

Graeme Souness says Cristiano Ronaldo was right to say what he did about Manchester United and Erik ten Hag to Piers Morgan but Simon Jordan tells talkSPORT co-host why he's wrong

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Gary Neville responds to Cristiano Ronaldo criticism with funny question on Twitter after Manchester United striker insisted he is 'not friends' with former teammate

Simon Jordan tells Cristiano Ronaldo he will 'end up in the jungle with Matt Hancock' and urges Manchester United to sack him

'No chance Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Manchester United again' - Teddy Sheringham says Portugal star has burned his bridges with bombshell interview