The manager insisted he always intended to reintegrate Ronaldo but only once the Portuguese international understood that what he did was wrong and showed contrition.
Ten Hag described the player’s conduct as “unacceptable” but added that he remained an “important player in the squad”.
It will be interesting to see what happens, however, when the January transfer window opens with Ronaldo having tried to force a move during the summer. It is understood Ten Hag will not stand in his way if an acceptable offer is received.
Ronaldo issued a statement after the Spurs game and while it fell short of an apology he acknowledged that he did not set an example to the rest of the squad.
Ronaldo was pictured arriving at United’s Carrington training ground on Tuesday morning with the squad having been given two days off after the Chelsea game. It was the first opportunity for Ten Hag to talk to him face-to-face.
There was good news for Ten Hag with the return to fitness of England centre-back Harry Maguire, the timely return coming after centre-back Raphael Varane left the Stamford Bridge pitch in tears at the weekend after suffering an injury when stretching for the ball. The injury has put the France international’s World Cup place in doubt.
