Premier League

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo returned to training with the club Tuesday.

Ronaldo was omitted from the squad for United's 1-1 draw with Chelsea. In their previous match, a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, he left the bench before full-time, and manager Erik ten Hag subsequently confirmed the Portuguese refused to enter the fixture as a substitute.

According to ESPN's Rob Dawson, Ronaldo and Ten Hag have maintained a "constant dialogue" following the Chelsea draw.

"Ten Hag happy issue has been dealt with and keen to move on," per Dawson.

This situation is driving home how Ronaldo needs Manchester United more than Manchester United need Ronaldo.

The 37-year-old is no longer so good to where he's automatically on the teamsheet for each and every match. His 18 goals in the Premier League last season don't paint an accurate picture of his full impact on the pitch, and now you can't count on him to regularly provide goals, either. He has one goal through eight league fixtures, and his 0.26 goals per 90 minutes are on pace to be his lowest since 2004-05, per FBRef.

Ten Hag basically holds all of the cards because Ronaldo can't afford to remain confined to the bench—or frozen out altogether—with the 2022 FIFA World Cup on the horizon.

Even presuming he doesn't get dropped by Portugal coach Fernando Santos, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner will want to be in form once the event rolls around next month. Both he and the national team will suffer if he's struggling for match fitness.

Earlier in his career, Ronaldo effectively had carte blanche because being one of the best players in the world affords you special privileges. Today, he's bound to come out on the losing end in any head-to-head battle with his manager.

As a result, the Portuguese is forced to make do for now until he can seek greener pastures in the January transfer window or upon the expiration of his contract in the summer.

Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly received "no interest" from other clubs despite Manchester United making him available for a free transfer to any side willing to take on the remainder of his £500,000-a-week contract.

ESPN's Mark Ogden reported Saturday that United, with support from the Glazer family ownership, has sought out potential suitors since the summer transfer window, when Ronaldo expressed a desire to leave Old Trafford, to no avail.

The update comes after United announced Ronaldo would be left out of the matchday squad for Saturday's Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge after refusing to come on as a substitute during Wednesday's 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

He then left the pitch prior to the final whistle.

"We will miss him tomorrow," United manager Erik ten Hag told reporters Friday. "It's a miss for the squad but it's important for the attitude and mentality of the group and now we have to focus on Chelsea as that is important. He remains an important part of the squad."

Ronaldo, 37, has started just two of United's 10 Premier League matches so far this season. He's recorded two goals and one assist in 12 appearances (six starts) across all competitions.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner posted a statement Thursday on Instagram:

Ronaldo is expected to remain in a headline role for Portugal at the men's FIFA World Cup next month despite his limited club involvement, and United are hopeful his play in the tournament can create more interest heading into January's winter transfer window, per Ogden.

If a full transfer can't be found—Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal is the only one to even make an inquiry so far—it's also possible the forward could be loaned out at a reduced rate for the rest of the term, according to Ogden.

Ronaldo's contract with United is set to expire in June.

Meanwhile, a victory over the Blues on Saturday would push the Red Devils into fourth place in the Premier League table.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag confirmed Friday that Cristiano Ronaldo refused to enter Wednesday's 2-0 Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur as a substitute before walking down the tunnel in the match's final minutes.

Ten Hag added he'd already given Ronaldo a warning about his behavior after a similar incident during a preseason match against Rayo Vallecano when he entered the locker room early, saying a coach must establish a "top sport culture."

"We are a team, and in the team, we have values and standards, and I have to control that," Ten Hag told reporters. "After Rayo Vallecano, I told [him] it was unacceptable, but he was not the only one, but that is for everyone, so when it's the second time, there will be consequences. I sent a warning at the start of the season, next time there has to be consequences. Football is a team sport, and you have to fulfill certain standards. And I have to control it."

United announced Thursday that Ronaldo won't be part of Saturday's matchday squad to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as a result of his midweek actions.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner posted a statement on Instagram, saying "sometimes the heat of the moment gets the best of us:"

Ten Hag said Ronaldo is expected to rejoin the squad Monday ahead of a Europa League clash with Moldovan side FC Sheriff on Thursday.

"We will miss him tomorrow," the United boss said Friday. "It's a miss for the squad, but it's important for the attitude and mentality of the group, and now we have to focus on Chelsea as that is important. He remains an important part of the squad."

The 37-year-old Portuguese legend has tallied two goals and one assist across 12 appearances (six starts) for United this season.

His displeasure comes after a summer when he sought a transfer to a Champions League club that never materialized.

Pete Hall of iNews reported Thursday the Red Devils are now considering whether to release the forward if no deal can be found in January during the winter transfer window.

Ronaldo rejoined United in August 2021 after previously emerging as one of the world's most dynamic attackers during his first stint with the Premier League club from 2003 through 2009. He's also played for Sporting CP, Real Madrid and Juventus.

He's expected to feature prominently for Portugal during the 2022 FIFA World Cup starting next month in Qatar despite his limited involvement for United so far this term.

How he performs on the international stage could help determine whether there's significant transfer interest from marquee clubs come January.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who didn't start or play for Manchester United in the club's 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, made headlines when he walked down the tunnel into the locker room before the final whistle blew.

Manager Erik Ten Hag said it was a situation that would be addressed.

"I don't pay attention [to that] today, we will deal with that tomorrow," he told reporters. "The focus today was on a magnificent performance from all the 11 players. I have to correct myself, not just 11 players but the substitutes who came on, it was a squad performance. We deal with that [Ronaldo] tomorrow. What we see today is 11 players who defend and 11 who attack."

Ronaldo's actions became a primary storyline in what should have been a jubilant evening for a United side that moved just one point behind fourth-place Chelsea after the Blues posted a disappointing scoreless draw against Brentford.

United and Chelsea will face off on Saturday. If the aftermath of Ronaldo's actions on Wednesday were any indication, his situation will remain a talking point until that match:

Ronaldo has been making headlines for the wrong reasons all season long after trying unsuccessfully to force a move away from Manchester United during the summer in an effort to get to a club playing Champions League football this season.

This week alone, he already raised eyebrows after being visibly unhappy with being subbed off in Sunday's scoreless draw against Newcastle in the 72nd minute.

Ten Hag defended that decision.

"We have to recover," he told reporters. "Four games in 10 days and especially for the strikers, I want to keep them fresh. I want to keep them all fresh, we have to rotate because of some problems we have. [Anthony] Martial is not available in this moment, then Rashy [Marcus Rashford] was not well, so he did not have energy for the whole game. We had to plan to cover for the four games because we want to win or at least get a result in all four games."

Ten Hag also acknowledged that the 37-year-old Ronaldo wasn't happy earlier in October when he didn't play at all in a 6-3 loss to Manchester City.

"Of course, he wants to play, and he's annoyed when he's not playing," he told reporters. "It's clear."

"He's really competitive, as we all know. He's not happy, of course, when he's not playing," Ten Hag added. "But I already said and, I have to repeat, he's training well, he has a good mood, he's motivated, and he gives his best. That is what we expect."

If Ronaldo's end game is to keep his name in the headlines and to cause drama around the club to force a move in January, he's at least succeeding in the first part of his plan.

Whether another club will be willing to pay his huge wages, regularly start a player who is still a solid poacher but offers little in the way of pressing off the ball—a style of play more and more clubs have gravitated toward in the modern game—and is always a threat to cause drama and unrest if he's unhappy is another question entirely.

Cristiano Ronaldo plans to continue his international career with Portugal beyond the 2022 World Cup.

"It has been a long road, but I would like to say that my road is not over yet," Ronaldo said Tuesday, per Adriana Garcia of ESPN.

The 37-year-old is the all-time men's leading scorer in international play, tallying 117 goals in 189 appearances. He helped the team win the European championship in 2016 and plans to play again at Euro 2024.

"I hope to be part of the Federation for a few more years," he added. "I still feel motivated; my ambition is high. I'm in a team with young people. I want to be part of this World Cup and the European too; I'm going to assume that right away."

Ronaldo is one of the most accomplished athletes of all time with five Champions League titles and five Ballon d'Or honors, although he has certainly slowed down over the past year.

The veteran now comes off the bench for Manchester United and has no goals or assists through six league matches (one start).

Despite his struggles at the club level, Ronaldo remains invaluable for Portugal. The forward led the squad to the 2019 UEFA Nations League title, and he started nine of 10 matches during World Cup qualifying, scoring a team-high six goals.

The squad now heads to Qatar as part of Group H along with Uruguay, Ghana and Korea Republic.

No matter what happens, Ronaldo plans to be back with the team during the next international break preparing for Euro 2024 qualifying, which is set to begin in March 2023.

Ethan Nwaneri only had a brief cameo in Arsenal's 3-0 victory over Brentford on Sunday, but it was a moment to remember for the teenager.

At 15 years and 181 days, Nwaneri became the youngest player in Premier League history when he subbed in for Fabio Vieira in the second minute of second-half injury time.

Liverpool's Harvey Elliott (16 years, 30 days) held the previous mark, and Nwaneri broke a club record that was previously held by Cesc Fabregas.

"It was a pure gut feeling," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said of bringing Nwaneri on. "I met the boy, I really liked what I saw. He trained with us a couple of times. I had that feeling yesterday that if the opportunity could come, I would do it. He deserves it."

This adds to the youth movement Arteta has helped to fuel since arriving as manager in 2019, and the benefits of that focus were on display against Brentford.

Vieira, who only turned 22 in May, scored the Gunners' final goal Sunday.

Bukayo Saka assisted on William Saliba's opener in the 17th minute. He and Saliba are both only 21, with the former already asserting himself as a fulcrum in the club's attack.

Nwaneri hasn't been included on lists of the brightest young talents in world football or considered a can't-miss prospect within Arsenal's youth squads.

But after Sunday, his continued development will be closely followed by supporters.

New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly made the argument Tuesday that the Premier League should copy a staple of American sporting leagues and add an all-star game to its season while speaking at the SALT Conference in New York.

"Ultimately I hope that the Premier League takes a little bit of a lesson from American sports and really starts to figure out why wouldn't we do a tournament with the bottom four teams, why isn't there an all-star game?" he said, per ESPN.

"People are talking about more money for the pyramid—MLB did their All-Star Game in L.A. this year—we made $200 million from a Monday and a Tuesday. You could do a north versus south all-star game for the Premier League to fund whatever the [British soccer] pyramid needed very easily."

The financial component of such an event is an easy enough sell. And introducing an all-star game—assuming it's not interrupting clubs' packed midseason schedules—would be an innocuous addition to the Premier League's calendar, given it's ultimately a meaningless exhibition and a bit of fun.

But the Premier League also has its own traditions and culture, and for football supporters in England already wary of the growing American influence in ownership circles throughout the league, Boehly's suggestion may be seen as yet another unwanted cultural shift pushed by forces across the Atlantic.

"Everyone likes the idea of more revenue for the league," Boehly said when asked how the other club owners around England felt about the idea. "I think there's a real cultural aspect, I think evolution will come."

He isn't the only figure with a history in English football to suggest such an exhibition, however. In 2018, former Everton, Manchester United and Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku—now with Inter Milan on loan from Chelsea—proposed a similar idea.

"Here's an idea for you guys," he tweeted at the time. "The NBA has All-Star Game! Don't you guys think we should organise one in the Premier League. The north vs the south! And the fans vote... what do you guys think?"

The Premier League announced on Monday that three fixtures for the upcoming weekend slate have been postponed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Saturday's scheduled matchup between Brighton and Crystal Palace and two matches on Sunday—Chelsea vs. Liverpool and Manchester United vs. Leeds—have been pushed back "due to events surrounding the queen’s funeral." Rescheduled dates and times have not yet been announced.

The Premier League said in its statement: "Following extensive consultation with clubs, police, local Safety Advisory Groups and other relevant authorities, there was no other option but to postpone the three fixtures."

The Premier League also postponed its entire slate of scheduled games last weekend in observance of the period of national mourning.

And Arsenal's scheduled Europa League fixture against PSV Eindhoven on Thursday at North London's Emirates Stadium was postponed because of a lack of security resources.

"This is due to the severe limitations on police resources and organisational issues related to the ongoing events surrounding the national mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II," UEFA said in a statement.

"The postponement follows liaison between UEFA, the Metropolitan Police and ourselves, after the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II," Arsenal added in a statement. "We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and share our thanks for your support and understanding."

Chelsea's Champions League match against RB Salzburg at West London's Stamford Bridge on Wednesday will take place, however.

The English Football League's three divisions—the second-tier Championship, League One and League Two—will also resume play on Tuesday, with tributes and a minute's silence in honor of the queen to be held ahead of the matches.

The Women's Super League and Women's Championship will also proceed with their scheduled matches going forward, according to the English Football Association.

The Premier League announced Friday this weekend's matches will be postponed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.

"We and our clubs would like to pay tribute to Her Majesty's long and unwavering service to our country," Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said. "As our longest-serving monarch, she has been an inspiration and leaves behind an incredible legacy following a life of dedication. This is a tremendously sad time for not just the nation, but also for the millions of people around the world who admired her, and we join together with all those in mourning her passing."

The English Football Association confirmed all of the country's leagues had jointly agreed with the Premier League to call off this weekend's fixtures:

The queen served a reign of over 70 years, having celebrated her Platinum Jubilee in early June.

The United Kingdom has entered a period of national mourning to "honor her life and guide the transition ahead" as King Charles III ascends to the throne, per CNN.

Sky Sports provided a list of other UK sports that have postponed events, which includes horse racing, boxing, cricket and golf, among others.

All 20 Premier League clubs were scheduled to play a match between Saturday and Monday. The rescheduled dates for those fixtures weren't immediately announced.

Teams, including reigning champions Manchester City, posted statements of condolence on social media throughout Thursday:

For now, Premier League play is tentatively scheduled to resume next Friday with two matches: Aston Villa vs. Southampton and Nottingham Forest vs. Fulham.

Chelsea announced Wednesday manager Thomas Tuchel has been fired in wake of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League loss to Dinamo Zagreb.

"As the new ownership group reaches 100 days since taking over the Club, and as it continues its hard work to take the club forward, the new owners believe it is the right time to make this transition," the club said in a statement.

Sky Sports' Rob Dorsett reported the Blues are expected to speak with Zinedine Zidane, Mauricio Pochettino and Graham Potter about their managerial vacancy.

Along with Chelsea's mediocre start to the 2022-23 season, which includes a 3-1-2 mark in Premier League play, ESPN's James Olley reported the relationship between Tuchel and Todd Boehly, the club's new owner, became "strained" over the transfer strategy.

Tuchel expressed frustration about how the side played in Tuesday's away loss to Dinamo Zagreb, the first match of the Champions League group stage.

"I don't really know where this performance today comes from," he told reporters. "A lack of determination, a lack of hunger and a lack of intensity to actually do the things that we need at the highest level. We are clearly not where we want to be."

The 49-year-old German was hired by Chelsea in January 2021. He guided the club to three titles in his first year: the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. The Blues are coming off a trophy-less campaign, however, losing in the FA Cup and EFL Cup finals last term.

Tuchel finishes his 100-match tenure with a 60-24-16 record.

Chelsea's statement said it will work "swiftly" to find a new manager. Until then, the current coaching staff will handle the club's training and preparations.

Zidane has been linked to several clubs since his second tenure with Real Madrid ended in May 2021, but he's expressed a desire to take over France's national team.

"I want to do it, of course. I will be [France's coach], I hope, one day. When? That's not up to me," the former midfielder said in June. "I want to come full circle with the French national team. I met this French team as a player, and it's the best thing that ever happened to me."

It's a position currently held by Didier Deschamps, but Zidane may want to wait until after the World Cup, which kicks off in November, to see whether the job comes available.

Potter makes a lot of sense on the surface after strong work at Brighton & Hove Albion and Swansea City in recent years. Brighton is fourth in the early Premier League table courtesy of a 4-1-1 record, which includes wins over Manchester United and Leicester City.

Pochettino was fired by Paris Saint-Germain in July. He owns plenty of Premier League experience having led Tottenham Hotspur from May 2014 through November 2019, which included a run to the 2019 Champions League final.

While the club searches for a new manager, the Blues return to action Saturday when they travel to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham.