Ronaldo cites ‘heat of moment’ after left off Manchester United squad for European play-offs
Manchester United’s squad for the Europa League quarter-final draw at the Etihad Stadium today received a boost when Brazilian international Robinho was left out.
But, of all the names listed by manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the Portuguese forward Ronaldo was perhaps the biggest surprise.
The 28-year-old appeared to be the only name on the list to be overlooked as his country were knocked out of the competition after being dumped out of the Copa America in Brazil.
United, meanwhile, are without six of their regular starters who are currently out with injury.
The first four names to go into our squad were Robinho, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Roy Keane.
The Portuguese’s omission comes after he was left out of the 24 hours’ time-wasting contest against PSV Eindhoven to allow him to prepare for the Copa America in Brazil.
That clash is due to be played on Monday, with the English media then reporting Ronaldo will have to wait another 24 hours to rejoin the squad.
He was included in the squad for the first leg of the quarter-final tie against FC Midtjylland in the Netherlands as a late replacement for United’s injured star Wayne Rooney.
Ferguson said: “We have been keeping an eye on Robinho. With the circumstances we had this week, he had to pull out of our game against PSV, and also against the Netherlands so he can prepare for the Copa America.
“But he is very important for his club – Barcelona – and for the tournament.
“We had hoped he would put in a good performance. He has done so. So we have decided to leave him out.”
Ferguson added: “He is the best there is at defending and attacking, and that is a great plus.
“If we don’t get at least one or two of these big occasions [in European football], it makes a big difference.