Man United news: Cristiano Ronaldo may be faking injury as new details emerge in recent hours – pundit
Gabby Agbonlahor has suggested Cristiano Ronaldo is not really injured and should be playing for Man United.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker claimed Ronaldo may have decided he did not want to play after he was not starting against Man City.
The veteran striker was not included in the matchday squad for their 4-1 humiliation to City on Sunday (6 March).
The Athletic reported the same day he had flown out to Portugal to help recover from a hip flexor injury which came as a big surprise to his teammates.
“I think it’s very odd,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“Ronaldo’s never injured and then out of the blue, he’s got a hip flexor. I think Ronaldo with a hip flexor would have at least been on the bench and able to come on.
“I feel there’s more going on behind the scenes. Maybe Ronaldo was told he’s not starting on Thursday then he’s decided ‘If I’m not starting, I’m not playing’. He’s seen how poor the side is.
“It’s all speculation at this point but there seems to be something more going on there.
“If it’s a Champions League game, I’d imagine he’d be fit and available. I’m not sure he’s actually injured.
“There’s something going on there at Manchester United. I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough. Something doesn’t seem right there.”
Ronaldo has scored 15 goals and provided three assists in 30 games for Man United across all competitions this term.
Before kick-off at the Etihad, he had played the fourth-highest amount of minutes (1,835) in the Premier League for United despite not signing until the fourth game.
In other news, a ‘reckless’ Man United star deserves a ban over a controversy missed by the BBC’s cameras.