Following being sent off for taking matters,
literally, into his own hands at the City of Manchester
Stadium last week, Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo left
his manager bemused in the stands this evening at Sunderland as he
appeared to substitute himself.
Having missed an open goal, the player was involved in a
challenge with Sunderland's Andy Reid on 65 minutes. Following the
tackle he was left clutching his ribs, and shortly afterwards,
clearly unable to play on, he put the ball into touch and walked
off the field.
Alex Ferguson, serving a touchline ban and not in his usual
place in the dug-out, was immediately seen barking into his mobile
phone as he desperately tried to find out what was happening.
As a replacement was not stripped or warmed up ready to go
on, the incident was very strange and adds to recent controversy
surrounding the way in which Ronaldo conducts himself on and off
the pitch.
Two weeks ago Ronaldo was involved in a spat with Aston Villa
supporters as he hobbled off the pitch at Villa Park during
United's 0-0 draw in the Midlands. He responded to taunts by
pointing to the number 7 on his shorts and then indicating he was
'number one' by holding his finger up to the sky.
A week prior to that, the Ballon D'Or winner was
branded "a malicious guy" by Brazil's Thiago Silva, who was
the victim of a spiteful tackle from Ronaldo during Brazil's 6-3
hammering of Portugal in Brasilia.
The injury was obviously genuine, and Ferguson did not seem
angry when he spoke about the issue earlier.
"He got real kick on the hip-joint, just like Wayne Rooney did
last year when he was in pain for a while and missed a couple of
games," said the United manager.
"There was no need for him to come to the bench, though. The
best thing is to get treatment straightaway. It was the sensible
thing to do.
"We will see what he is like, although I was going to make
changes for the Champions League game against Aalborg on Wednesday
anyway."
If Nemanja Vidic hadn't popped up with a late winner for the Red
Devils then Ferguson might not have been so even-tempered. The Scot
does not suffer those who question his authority: just ask Jaap
Stam and David Beckham, who were both quickly on their way out of
Old Trafford once they'd displeased the boss.
Ferguson does not take kindly to those who perceive themselves
as being bigger than the club, and this issue is bound to fuel
speculation that Ronaldo is planning an exit from Old Trafford.