Cristiano Ronaldo started his first league game for Manchester United since August. He was substituted in the 72nd minute of the game and was visibly disappointed with the decision of his boss, Erik Ten Hag.
However, Ten Hag explained that he wants his strikers fresh for the upcoming fixtures. Ten Hag wants to make sure that the Portuguese striker is available for the upcoming games against Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.
Manchester United drew 0-0 at home against Newcastle United after managing just two shots on target. Nick Pope, fairly, was not tested the whole match and had a quiet game at Old Trafford.
The officials disallowed two goals scored by Cristiano Ronaldo
Everything was going well, normally and at its pace, when suddenly Old Trafford erupted into some abysmal decisions by the referee.
Cristiano Ronaldo was robbed of his two goals by the officials in the game against Newcastle United. It looked like Fabian Schar had rolled a free-kick to Nick Pope.
Pope then went on to take the kick himself, but Ronaldo, seeing the touch and believing the ball was already in play, squeezed in before rolling the ball into an empty net.
Manchester United’s goal scorer and all the players were adamant enough that Ronaldo was well within the chance to grab the ball, arguing the play had already commenced.
Meanwhile, in the 48th minute of the game, Ronaldo’s goal was ruled out for offside. Anthony played a beautiful pass into the feet of Ronaldo. The striker put the ball in the net, but by the officials’ decision, he was offside.
Ten Hag reacts to horrendous official decisions
All the Manchester United players and Ten Hag himself were involved in a heated discussion with referee Craig Pawson after the final whistle. Ten Hag slammed the officials’ decision that Pawson was very wrong.
Sir Alex Ferguson presented awards to Cristiano Ronaldo and David de Gea before kick-off today 🏆🤝 #MUFC
5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ appearances for de Gea
7️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ club goals for Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/ZhBhJIHsak— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 16, 2022
In a press conference after the match, he said, “I don’t have a comment, everyone has seen it.” “Everyone has seen what happened today on the pitch, I don’t have a comment.”
Further, he added, “Our strikers will score, will score a lot, I’m confident about that, as long as we keep doing the work in and out of possession.”
In the second half, the Magpies couldn’t play as high on the pitch as they did in the first half of the game. Eddie admitted he was satisfied with a point at Old Trafford.
He said, “Especially in the first half, I thought we were very good.” “Joelinton had the two chances when he hit the woodwork. Further, we could potentially have had a penalty for the challenge on Callum Wilson.”
Furthermore, he added, “I could see it at the time, and for me it was clear Fabi wasn’t taking the kick. He was allowing Nick to do it.
I don’t know if the ref had blown his whistle, but I don’t think he had to restart play. For me, it was clear that Nick was waiting to actually deliver the free-kick and then, obviously, Ronaldo had taken the ball off him. It would have been a very, very difficult goal to swallow if it had stood. For me, it was clear the ball wasn’t in play.”
Fans react all over the world on the bizarre incident
Football fans all over the world took to social media to show their rage as United were robbed of their goal.
Manchester United Fans fuming all over the world have reacted very negatively, condemning the abysmal official decisions.
The first one said, “The refs once again show they hate Ronaldo with all their forces. How’s that goal disallowed? The play was on.”
Another said, “Shades of Nani vs Tottenham there. Ronaldo scores after Newcastle looked to have taken a quick free-kick. The goal is disallowed and Ronaldo is booked for his protest.”
Robbed of a clear penalty, and denied a clear goal, this agenda against Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t funny anymore. pic.twitter.com/LIouhhPqoY
— ً (@erlingtxt) October 17, 2022
A third added, “I saw Ronaldo score 2 goals, both disallowed. Both appear to have been standing. This league is rigged.”
And the last one concluded, “The ref was so arrogant in his decision making, you’d think he was right, but he clearly wasn’t. The worst decision of the lot was the disallowed Ronaldo goal. That was absolutely shocking.”
Manchester United welcome Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur for the next fixture. With a following trip to Stamford Bridge for a Premier League match against Chelsea.
