Cristiano Ronaldo breaks silence after being banished from Man United first-team for refusing to come on as a substitute

Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence after it emerged he refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur.

In response, Ronaldo has taken to his social media channels to publish an official statement on the matter.

"As I’ve always done throughout my career, I try to live and play respectfully towards my colleagues, my adversaries and my coaches," Ronaldo wrote.

"That hasn’t changed. I haven’t changed. I’m the same person and the same professional that I’ve been for the last 20 years playing elite football, and respect has always played a very important role in my decision making process.

"I started very young, the older and most experienced players examples were always very important to me.

"Therefore, later on, I’ve always tried to set the example myself for the youngsters that grew in all the teams that I’ve represented.

"Unfortunately that’s not always possible and sometimes the heat of the moment get’s the best of us.

"Right now, I just feel that I have to keep working hard in Carrington, support my teammates and be ready for everything in any given game. Giving in to the pressure is not an option. It never was. This is Manchester United, and united we must stand. Soon we’ll be together again."

"The rest of the squad is fully focused on preparing for that fixture.”

Everything pointed towards Ronaldo leaving in the summer after he handed a transfer request but he could not find a potential suitor and ultimately remained at United.

He's scored twice this season but his first-team future is looking increasingly bleak after Wednesday's antics.