Erik ten Hag slams Cristiano Ronaldo and other Manchester United stars for 'unacceptable' mistake

Erik ten Hag says it is 'unacceptable' for any Manchester United player to leave the stadium early after Cristiano Ronaldo and a number of other players were spotted leaving Old Trafford at the weekend.

Ronaldo, 37, was seen leaving the club's home stadium along with compatriot Diogo Dalot during their 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano at the weekend, without the permission of Ten Hag to do so.

The Portuguese forward was substituted at half-time after his first appearance for the club in 12 weeks and was photographed entering the players' car park at around the 80th-minute mark of the match.

READ MORE: Ronaldo leaves friendly before final whistle

United refused to comment on whether Ronaldo's early departure was sanctioned by Ten Hag at the time, who was not asked about the Portuguese after the match by MUTV.

Now the United manager has broken his silence on the matter and reiterated that it is unacceptable for any player to leave while his teammates are still playing.

"He was absent (from the pre-season tour) due to personal circumstances. So it's now how he puts it," Ten Hag told Viaplay Sport Nederland.

When asked about Ronaldo leaving the Rayo Vallecano match early, the United manager took the attention away from Ronaldo specifically before condemning the behaviour.

"There were many more who went home," he added. "So you condoned that? Certainly not. It's unacceptable, for everybody.

"I tell them. That it is unacceptable and that we are a team, so a selection. That you have to stay until the end."

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