Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo was an unused substitute in Manchester United’s 6-3 defeat at Manchester City on Sunday.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag opted to bring on Anthony Martial ahead of Ronaldo, with the France forward scoring twice against Manchester City.

Ten Hag has now claimed he refused to bring on Cristiano Ronaldo in the Manchester derby out of “respect for his big career”.

“I wouldn’t bring him in because out of respect for Cristiano, for his big career,” Ten Hag said. “And the other thing was the advantage I could bring Anthony Martial, he needs the minutes but I don’t want to point it out like that.”