Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he has no regrets over resting Cristiano Ronaldo in Man United’s 1-1 draw against Everton.
Asked after the game if he regretted leaving Ronaldo out, Solskjaer said: “No. You make decisions throughout a long, long season; you have to manage the players’ workload and the decision for me was the correct one.
“Anthony Martial did well, scored a good goal. Edinson (Cavani) needed minutes and could have had a goal. We have to make those decisions at the time.”
Did Ole Gunnar Solskjaer make the wrong decision leaving out Ronaldo against Everton?
Solskjaer opted for Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial from the start at Old Trafford. It was the first time Ronaldo had been named on the bench in a Premier League game for United since May 2007. The United boss claimed the team needed a refresh after their “physically and emotionally” tiring 2-1 win over Villarreal on Wednesday.
The decision looked like it had paid off when Martial gave United the lead just before half-time. Despite Ronaldo coming on before the hour mark, Everton scored through Andros Townsend on the breakaway to force United to settle for a point at home. Consequently, the Manchester club into the international break in unconvincing form.
Ronaldo looked visibly frustrated at full-time walking straight down the tunnel. He did not seem too interested in speaking to Everton’s hero Andros Townsend, who produced CR7’s trademark celebration after scoring. But, speaking to BT Sport after the game, he claimed it was out of respect for the five-time Balon d’Or winner.
While it doesn’t get much easier for United after the international break. They play Leicester (A), Liverpool (H), Tottenham (A) and Manchester City (H) in the Premier League. As well as there are a couple of vital Champions League group games against Atalanta wedged in as well.
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