Eric Ten Hag said people are blaming him for not starting Christiano Ronaldo, but his excuse is that he already told his players that anyone that is not fit among them would not be starting, he said even if Lisandro Martinez that they have worked together before didn't fit enough, he would bench him but I don't think that is the reason why he is benching Christiano Ronaldo because it's not all players that need to be too fit before they can play. The Anthony that was just bought can't be benched if he don't want to have problem with the club because they can't buy player worth of almost 90 million pounds and still place him on bench always
It is not only form that players need to play at times, disciple is part of it too, even if it's some coaches, Ronaldo can't be on bench talk less of playing for now due to Ronaldo's attitude towards the team. When they were playing Pre Season, Ronaldo didn't join them, there was even time that Ronaldo was defended by coach that it's a family issue and Ronaldo has begged for time but it was later obvious that Ronaldo just don't want to join the club in the pre season, Ten Hag even said that he won't introduce him to any match some time ago but he later use him and there is no result.
There are so many things that concern Ronaldo being on bench and not fit to play for Eric Ten Hag. There is rumor that Ronaldo want to leave to join another club that would play Champions League, so if Ronaldo is on bench and Manchester United keep winning, there is no problem to that at all, Ten Hag just need to be careful, not to talk much than his action. Manchester United is a big club, so action should be much than just talking. I like the decision he make and that is what is helpful to the club right now, it's not that all the players that they bought has been doing anything that is too special, the no fit no play disciple is helping him
Even Ronaldo himself is not playing for anyone, he is playing for himself, ever since the end of last season that Manchester United was announced that they won't be playing Champions League, his agent has been looking for another club for Christiano Ronaldo, it's because he didn't find any, that's why he still stay at Manchester United and coach is not blind, he saw everything going on and he only started match when Manchester United played against Brentford that they beat them with 4 goals to zero, Ronaldo could not do anything to that, so he didn't commit himself for the club
Maybe he didn't fit because there are some balls that he used to score the type but didn't score again presently but maybe age has been telling beause no matter how good a player is, age would still tell when it's time, maybe that is why he misses the balls he suppose to score or his mind isn't in Manchester United again.