Man Utd star is happier without Cristiano Ronaldo in the team, claims Alan Shearer | Football

United took another step forward under Erik ten Hag on Wednesday evening as they delivered an excellent performance in their 2-0 win over Tottenham at Old Trafford.

Fernandes, who scored a brilliant effort to double United’s lead in the second half, was named man of the match for his display against Antonio Conte’s side.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, was left as an unused substitute by Erik ten Hag and opted to leave the dugout to walk back to the dressing room before the game had even finished.

And Shearer believes Fernandes looks a better player without Ronaldo in the same side.

‘Would I be stirring things if I said Bruno looks a lot happier in this team without Ronaldo?’ Shearer said during commentary for Amazon Prime Sport.

‘I just look at his performance tonight and look at his energy and look at his leadership qualities and look at what he’s done both defensively and offensively.

‘He has done so much for them in this performance tonight. He deserved that goal.’

Meanwhile, Ten Hag has vowed to ‘deal’ with Ronaldo’s conduct on Thursday.

‘Yeah, I don’t pay attention to that, we deal with that tomorrow,’ said the United manager.

‘We want to focus on this team, it was a magnificent performance from all 11 players.

‘I have to mention, I said 11 players, I have to correct myself: it was a performance also from the subs who came on who had a good role and, once again, it was a squad performance.

‘And, in answer to your question, we deal with that tomorrow and what we have seen today was 11 players who defend, 11 players who attack there was a lot of dynamic in the attack as well. I am pleased with that but I won’t say I am totally satisfied because good is not good enough, that has to be the standard here.’

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