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Man Utd legend defends Ronaldo's tantrum

Manchester United legend Roy Keane has leaped to the defence of Cristiano Ronaldo after he was dropped by Erik ten Hag this week.

The Portuguese forward was left out of the squad to face Chelsea on Saturday as he refused to come on as a substitute in the win over Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.

United went on to draw 1-1 against the Blues at Stamford Bridge, with Casemiro netting a late equaliser for Ten Hag's charges.

Read: Man Utd urged to end the relationship with Ronaldo

Keane, who played with Ronaldo at United, says there are players at United who have done worse things than walk down a tunnel.

"Well, obviously the manager has made a decision to leave him out," Keane told Sky Sports.

"He's disappointed at Ronaldo [for] not wanting to go on in the 87th [or] 88th minute and the fact he walked down the tunnel. He's obviously being punished for it.

"But I try to see as well from the player's point of view, he's obviously had enough and I think it's been brewing over the last few weeks with Ronaldo.

"But I will sill try and defend him, I still think he's a human being, he's got flaws, he feels frustrated that he's not been properly getting opportunities and he's had enough.

"He's walked down the tunnel, I think players have done a lot worse things at Man Utd. I think it happens, it's human nature.

"Everyone was talking after the game that they beat Spurs, it was a big win - best performance in years. Absolute rubbish, Spurs were terrible. Man Utd managed to beat Spurs as well last year at home when I think Ronaldo got a hat-trick.

"So he's more than capable of getting on that pitch and making a difference. But he has to take his punishment, is there a way back for him? I'm not sure.

"I'd be more worried if Ronaldo was sitting on the bench every week laughing his head off and not caring. I think the guy cares.

"I've said it before, this game is full of bluffers and he's certainly not one of them. I think he cares about the club, I think he wants to play, he needs to play. World class player, people saying he's not the player he was 10 years ago. Of course he's not.

"But he was the leading goalscorer last year for Man Utd. He went to Man Utd last year, to a bad Man Utd team - really bad team - [and] he was still leading goalscorer."

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