Cristiano Ronaldo axed from Man United squad vs. Chelsea after leaving Tottenham game early

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has axed striker Cristiano Ronaldo from the squad to face Chelsea on Saturday as punishment for his early exit during the win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Ten Hag has taken the decision after Ronaldo left Old Trafford before the end of the 2-0 victory over Spurs on Wednesday.

Ronaldo did not train with the first team squad Thursday and is not expected to rejoin the group until Monday.

the club have backed the action taken by Ten Hag but insist the 37-year-old remains "an important part of the squad."

A club statement issued on Thursday read: "Cristiano will not be part of the Manchester United squad for this Saturday's game against Chelsea. The rest of the squad is fully focused on preparing for that fixture."

Ronaldo left his seat on the bench to walk down the tunnel before the full-time whistle against Tottenham, despite Ten Hag having two more substitutions available.

He held talks with Ten Hag before the Dutchman decided to drop him from his squad to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Following his axing from the squad to face Chelsea, Ronaldo wrote on Instagram that the "heat of the moment" had got the best of him and that he would work hard to return to the team.