Man United remove Instagram photo after Kevin Pietersen calls Erik ten Hag a ‘clown’ in comments

Pietersen featured alongside a number of other cricketers

Manchester United have removed a photo of Kevin Pietersen from their Instagram after he hit out at club manager Erik ten Hag for his treatment of Cristiano Ronaldo. The former England batsman featured in a series of posts alongside other high-profile cricketers as the club promoted the start of the T20 World Cup. https://twitter.com/cr7raprhymes/status/1583502609645641734 Pietersen however was furious with the club for including him and demanded the photo be taken down after calling United boss Ten Hag a "clown." He commented: "Please take my picture down? I don't want an association with a club that's managed by a clown who is completely disrespecting the greatest footballer of our time. "[Cristiano Ronaldo] is the BOSS! That clown who no one will ever remember needs a wake-up!" United agreed to the request however by the time they had done so, many had already screen-shotted the image and published across social media. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj9P6_xIBNu/ Ronaldo is at loggerheads with the club after he refused to come on as a substitute before leaving Old Trafford early during their 2-0 win against Tottenham last Wednesday. As punishment, the 37-year-old was dropped from the squad for their 1-1 draw at Chelsea last week and was forced to train away from the first team. His future is now up in the air and the forward is due to have talks with Ten Hag on Monday (October 24) in which they aim to decide what's best for all parties. Reports have suggested that United could be willing to let Ronaldo leave for free, providing they can find someone to pay his £360,000 a-week wages. Chelsea are rumoured to be one of those interested after co-owner Todd Boehly tried to sign the Portugal international in the summer but will have to persuade Graham Potter before making another move in January. Related links:

• Cristiano Ronaldo to hold talks with Erik ten Hag over Man United future
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• Roy Keane jumps to Cristiano Ronaldo’s defence after Man United walk-off