Cristiano Ronaldo made a point to avoid stepping on the Manchester City logo printed on the floor when the Manchester United players arrived at the Etihad for the Manchester derby.
According to a source, as he entered the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, the Manchester United player deliberately moved away from the printed floor (October 2). While heading to the locker rooms, Ronaldo noticed it and veered off to avoid stepping on it.
Football players are bound by an unwritten rule that prohibits them from stepping on a badge. While some fans applaud the gesture as a sign of respect, others find it absurd. Ander Herrera, a former United player, firmly belongs in the latter category after appearing to spit on the City logo in 2018.
Prior to rejoining his former team last year, Ronaldo displayed more class, and he was of course linked with a move to City. This decision has turned out to be a nightmare for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
He sat on the bench for the entirety of the 6-3 derby thrashing after Erik ten Hag choose not to deploy him off the bench “out of respect for his career.” Roy Keane, a former teammate, criticized the treatment he has gotten.
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Keane said on Sky Sports: "I think Man United are showing disrespect to Ronaldo. I think he should have been let go before the [closing] of the window, Okay, you're the manager, you need options but you don't hold onto Ronaldo to sit on the bench. He's one of the greatest players ever. He's played him in one or two European games. It's just going to get uglier as the season goes on."
