Man United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer defends decision to rest Cristiano Ronaldo against Everton

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists that he will decide when Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Manchester United after facing criticism for resting the Portugal star against Everton.

Solskjaer came under fire for starting Ronaldo on the bench when United were held 1-1 at home by Rafael Benitez’s side in their last game before the international break.

Ronaldo stormed off down the tunnel at the end of the game, and former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was later heard on a social media video saying that a manager should always start with his best team.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (L) insists he will decide when Cristiano Ronaldo (R) plays for Man United

Ronaldo stormed off down the tunnel at the end of the 1-1 home draw against Everton 

Solskjaer was also criticised for taking off Ronaldo in a Champions League tie in Bern last month when United suffered a late defeat to Young Boys.

But the United boss defended his decisions, saying: ‘I’m the manager. I manage the players for the club. It’s nice to have him on the pitch because he’ll always come up with the goods. The more we have him on the pitch the better.

‘He’s an exceptional player, an exceptional finisher, goal scorer, and an exceptional professional. It’s hard to leave him out and I think everyone would love to, how do you say, if you can go and play six games in six days and play the same XI every time, it’s great.

‘But rotation, we need to get to April and May with everyone firing. We got to May in the final stretch of last season and we were too tired.’

Solskjaer was also criticised for taking off Ronaldo in a Champions League tie in Bern