Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag admits he ‘sleeps well’ after making the audacious decision to leave Cristiano Ronaldo out of the starting lineup against Liverpool in August.
The Dutchman made a horrendous start to life in the Old Trafford hot-seat, with the Red Devils languishing at the bottom of the Premier League table after humiliating defeats to Brighton and Brentford.
But their fortunes began to turn when they defeated rivals Liverpool 2-1 at home, with Ten Hag choosing to bench wanted-away forward Ronaldo.
The Portuguese superstar was a bit-part player under Ten Hag until his contract was mutually terminated in November, and United have gone from strength to strength since.
Ten Hag discussed the decision to bench Ronaldo for the benefit of the team ahead of their reverse fixture with Liverpool.
“I have to see and face the consequences of it, the impact of the decisions not only in the short-term but also for the longer-term. Of course, you don’t always have a lot of time, in that period I remember we had 10 days so I could consider which choice would be the best,” he said.
“You always have to think strategic, what is the consequence longer-term. I am aware of it but that is my job and that is the responsibility I have to take.
“I had reasons [to drop Ronaldo]. They were obvious. And I knew also the consequence and also if it was a negative outcome from that game. That is always possible in football.
“But I am not worrying. I sleep well also in those nights. I have to take the decisions in respect in advance of the club and the team. That is my job and that is the responsibility I have to take and I have to stand for those decisions.”
