Michael Carrick insists benching Cristiano Ronaldo at Chelsea ‘wasn’t a drama’ because he didn’t see dropping the star ‘as a major decision’ as Man United’s caretaker boss prepares for a third game in charge against Arsenal
- Cristiano Ronaldo started amongst the Man United substitutes at Chelsea
- Caretaker manager Michael Carrick benched the star at Stamford Bridge
- But Carrick has played down the importance of dropping Ronaldo for a big game
- He insisted there was ‘no drama’ and said he didn’t consider it ‘a major decision’
- Carrick will take charge of his third game as caretaker against Arsenal
Manchester United caretaker boss Michael Carrick has played down his decision to drop Cristiano Ronaldo against Chelsea, saying his decision ‘wasn’t a drama’.
Carrick caused a stir at Stamford Bridge on Sunday by dropping the United legend for only his second game in charge since taking over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he secured a 1-1 draw with the Premier League leaders.
Ronaldo came on in the 64th minute but made little impression and hurried down the tunnel at full-time following the briefest of handshakes with his manager.
Cristiano Ronaldo was dropped to the bench for Manchester United’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea, eventually emerging during the second-half at Stamford Bridge
United’s caretaker manager Michael Carrick explains instructions to Ronaldo as he comes on
Carrick is preparing to take charge of his third game as caretaker against Arsenal on Thursday
However, Carrick claimed the issue was blown out of proportion ahead of his third game against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
‘I think those type of decisions get blown up more than they are when you’re inside the team and the club,’ he said.
‘Decisions are made for lots of different reasons, certainly ones get bigger news than others. I didn’t see it as a major decision. We all got on really well, the game went well to an extent and it wasn’t a drama at all.’
Carrick denied at the weekend that Rangnick had any influence over his decision to drop Ronaldo, and insists that he has his own thoughts on how United should play.
Carrick said incoming interim coach Ralf Rangnick had no influence over the Ronaldo decision
‘I think you always have your own ideas, whether it’s players, coach, manager or whoever. As an individual, there are certain things you prefer,’ he added.
‘I’ve learnt an awful lot this week. You have to learn on the job, but being pretty close and seen what’s going on in recent years, it’s not been as much of a step up as people think.’
