Erik ten Hag defends decision to scrap Cristiano Ronaldo as boss praises Man Utd’s ‘spirit’ after late point against Chelsea

ERIK TEN HAG hailed his Manchester United stars’ comeback spirit – and defended his decision to ax Cristiano Ronaldo.

Man of the match Casemiro equalized in added time to stun Chelsea.

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And United boss Ten Hag said: “I have to compliment my team. Hitting back with a fourth game in ten days shows the spirit and how they deal with setbacks.

“Of course it was a great moment to get a deserved point.”

But Ten Hag insisted the equalizer was irrelevant to justifying Ronaldo’s exile.

The Portuguese star was dropped from the squad following his prank at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Dutchman Ten Hag said: “Of course it’s a big moment – but it has nothing to do with this case.

“It’s more important to have the right culture, to have the right standards and values.

“It’s always more important in the long term, in the end it puts you in the right place.”

Casemiro was in the right place at the right time to bring home Luke Shaw’s cross – after Jorginho put Chelsea ahead with a late penalty.

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The goal capped an excellent performance from Real Madrid’s £60m summer signing.

Ten Hag said: “We thought he was capable of that. It’s clear that the Premier League is different, especially in terms of intensity. It took him a short time to get used to it.

“Now you see him grow from game to game – and how important he is to us.

“He brings the composure, he brings the organization with him – and if he then scores a goal, he brings a lot to the team.

“We have shown resilience, that’s a really big thing for big teams.”

But United face disciplinary action from the FA after their fans embarrassed themselves with homophobic chants.

Ten Hag also condemned the insults that Chelsea supporters hurled at Raphael Varane – as the French defender left the pitch in tears with an injury that could shatter his World Cup dreams.

In a week when all Premier League games celebrate the Rainbow Laces campaign, some United supporters indulged in sickening “Chelsea Rent Boy” chants.

Blues boss Graham Potter said: “I think we still have work to do, don’t we?”