Ben Dinnery

Thu 10 March 2022 15:00, UK

Man United have “backed themselves into a corner” after the injured Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly went absent without leave.

That is the view of injury expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in medicine and data analysis.

Ronaldo is currently sidelined with a hip flexor injury and missed United’s humbling 4-1 defeat at Man City last Sunday (6 March).

The Telegraph reported yesterday (9 March) that the 37-year-old returned to Portugal in an unauthorised trip to seek treatment from his own physios.

Dinnery suggests that the legendary striker’s future at Old Trafford is in doubt amid concerns of a “toxic” culture at the club.

“I’ve been told that around 70 per cent of Premier League players have their own personal physios,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.

“The situation isn’t ideal for the parent club and the backroom staff within. But it has almost become the norm, unfortunately.

“There has to be a degree of understanding that we’re not just talking about your average player here. He lives and breathes his planning and preparation.

“A lot of these players will stick with the same support team that they’ve had for years and years. They know the player’s history.

“You don’t always have that continuity when you move clubs, but Ronaldo has that with his own team.

“The fact that it’s in Portugal and it’s warm weather helps. And, from the outside looking in, there seems to be a toxic environment at United.

“The club have backed themselves into a corner by allowing Paul Pogba to do the same. Do you stand up and tell Ronaldo no?

“You then start to question his long-term future when you’re managing players in that way.”

Ronaldo has registered 15 goals and three assists since his return to United from Juventus last summer.

The Red Devils are yet to put a timeframe on his hip flexor setback.

In other news, pundit issues “massive” Man United claim after Ralph Hasenhuttl stance confirmed in last 24 hours.