As Ronaldo's star falls, Ten Hag stands up

The Independent’s football newsletter [The Independent]( October 21, 2022 [View in browser](   [The Independent]( [The Independent]( The Independent is proud to be media partners of the BT Sport Action Woman Awards 2022. Each year these awards celebrate the achievements of brilliant and inspiring female athletes. [To see the nominees and cast your vote please click here.](   As Ronaldo's star falls, Ten Hag stands up Ten Hag displays his authority With [Cristiano Ronaldo not included on Saturday and not training with the rest of the squad](, the question already doing the rounds is whether he will ever play for Manchester United again. There are a few things that can be said for certain, though, that play into much of this. Erik ten Hag has certainly displayed his authority. It has drawn admiration from the players, and only bolstered respect. It is not dissimilar, either, to how Mikel Arteta marked himself out by dropping Mesut Ozil and then Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. [Ten Hag has similarly handled it rather deftly](. He didn’t initially bow to Ronaldo but he did give him his chance, allow him space and a chance to adapt, until the situation became untenable. Wednesday was something of a final straw. When Ronaldo walks off in the way he did, part of him of course knows that it brings more focus on him - and that Erik ten Hag will have to talk about it - but the reality is it’s having less and less effect. It doesn’t make much impact in the dressing any more. While there is naturally immense respect for Ronaldo, there’s not much reaction to his behaviour because he cuts an increasingly isolated figure. [His clout at the club is waning and United have of course already looked beyond him](. His influence, in a few senses, is almost gone. The problem remains that no club currently wants him who he would value. And Ten Hag evidently doesn’t see much value in him either. United squad only emboldened [Far from concerned about Ronaldo](, of course, the United dressing room was absolutely buzzing on Wednesday night and well into Thursday and Friday. There is a hope, and a feeling, that things might finally be clicking. The players felt a connection and the sort of instinctive interchanges that come when an idea is starting to be understood on a deeper level. Goals of course help. They bring the proof that brings the confidence that brings further application. None of this is to say it will all be clear for United now. They need another goalscorer for one. But it is offering encouragement. It also offers an intriguing framework for Saturday’s game at Stamford Bridge. It is a game between two sides under progressive coaches, learning new ideas - and it might make it quite open. Klopp touches on something bigger than a bad rivalry So much for the insistence from April that Liverpool-Manchester City is a friendly rivalry. The hatred between the clubs - especially at institutional level - has reached depths many Premier League veterans have rarely seen. There is genuine animosity, and the earlier part of this week had all kinds of claims and counter-claims. [That alone points to how Klopp has changed things](. He was one of the first prominent football people to properly talk about the three state-owned clubs (City, Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle United) together. Many will - as he predicted - of course not like this. But there are some within the game also feeling some relief. They have long believed this needs to be discussed, and are emboldened that Klopp has forced it to the forefront of the game. The wonder will be who goes next... A lot of options - that won't come close [Gareth Southgate had to name his 55-man provisional squad this week](, a new step for a tournament specifically due to the fact this World Cup is mid-season. An interesting aspect is that he doesn’t have to reveal it or even tell those who have been named. Since it can be a huge list, more than double the size of the final squad, the manager naturally doesn’t want to get the hopes up of those who really have no chance. The packs struggling for a leader If there was little surprise at [Steven Gerrard leaving Aston Villa](, given many expected it for weeks, some of their targets have raised their eyebrows. The club are attempting to go big, but have been rebuffed already. Mauricio Pochettino remains the ideal, but there is understood to be some reluctance. Villa aren't really seen like a Brighton or one of those clubs with the infrastructure to maximise a manager's chances. It is a big job. It's still more attractive than one of their local rivals, though. It is quite remarkable that Wolves are now struggling to appoint a permanent manager, as it was confirmed that Steve Davis will stay on until the new year. Recently one of the most promising clubs outside the top six, in part due to so many fine Jorge Mendes signings, they are now in a situation where Michael Beale felt there were many better options if he was going to make the next step up. It speaks to the sense of staleness that has afflicted the club. [It’s all the more ironic given the manager market remains so lively](. There’s a lot of tension and the expectation that there will be more sackings over the next two months. Wolves need an appointment. BT Sport Action Woman Awards 2022 We have teamed up with BT Sport for their brilliant awards celebrating women in sport. Don't forget to vote for your winner. The deadline for voting is November 9. [To cast your vote click here](.   Top stories [Erik ten Hag stamps his authority on Manchester United by coming down hard on Cristiano Ronaldo]( [Aston Villa next manager odds after Steven Gerrard sacked](   Miguel's Dispatches We’re at that point before a World Cup where journalists are inevitably researching pre-tournament history articles. They will obviously go side by side with more serious issues when it comes to this particular World Cup, but it’s also part of the build-up. It can lead you down some interesting avenues. And frustrating. I’ve spent years trying to find the identity of the official that John Aldridge and Jack Charlton swore at during Ireland’s match with Mexico in USA 94, in order to try and set up an interview. I was once given a name that has proved fruitless. If anyone knows and wants to message in, feel free!       QUOTE OF THE WEEK "I will deal with him tomorrow." Erik ten Hag more than did that   Reading the game quiz Reading the game quiz There are six figures who have played in the Premier League and managed a country at a World Cup. Name them. ([You can find out the answers here](. The answer page will be updated weekly and contains answers from previous newsletters, too)   INDYBEST /BEST SPORTS BUY]( 6 best running buggies for tackling trail, track and city routes with baby in tow Exercising with little passengers on board provides a convenient way to keep fit. [Click here for our reviews](   Essential reading [Jurgen Klopp is right. It is wrong to describe criticism of state-owned clubs as xenophobic](   [Diminished and now dropped, Cristiano Ronaldo’s time at Manchester United is all but over](   OTHER NEWSLETTERS YOU MIGHT LIKE [Sports Brief] Sports Brief Every Monday, 6pm (UK time) Written by Ben Burrows [Join now]( [Fantasy Football] Fantasy Football Every Thursday, 6pm (UK time) Written by Mark Critchley [Join now]( If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's football newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's football newsletter, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Football_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. 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