Ralf Rangnick has told Cristiano Ronaldo that no player is bigger than the team following the Portugal star’s angry reaction to being substituted at Brentford – and says his decision was justified because substitute Marcus Rashford scored Manchester United’s third goal.

Ronaldo made his frustration clear when he was taken off in a double substitution in the 71st minute during United’s 3-1 win, and then had to be placated by Rangnick as he sat outside the dug-out.

United’s interim manager tried to play down the incident on Friday but made it clear that the team must come first.

‘It is about the team and getting points,’ said Rangnick. ‘We are in a position where every single game is of maximum importance.

‘The team is more important than no matter who it is – Cristiano, Edinson (Cavani), Bruno (Fernandes) or any other player. Bruno has also been substituted and was not happy with that in the last couple of weeks. It’s about what is in best interests of the team.

‘He (Ronaldo) has not been substituted, I believe, for the first time in his career. There have been a few other substitutions as far as I know, even under Sir Alex.

‘A player like Cristiano doesn’t like to be substituted, that is pretty normal. His reaction was emotional but for me not a problem at all.

‘I have managed other players, maybe with not as quite a big name as Cristiano. I know how these players react to being substituted.

‘I think we shouldn’t make too much of a fuss out of it. I can only speak for myself and my coaching staff.

‘I explained that to him even during the game when we had that little conversation after the third goal and, in fact, I told him the same as what I just said in the press conference.

‘The job of a football manager is to help teams win games and, for me, it was clear after the experience we had at Villa Park that this time we had to do things better.

‘The only question was who we take off. Cristiano is a prolific goal scorer and a player who always wants to play and score goals. He was also asking ‘why me not one of the younger players?’

‘The answer came five minutes later when one of the younger players scored the third goal. Maybe Cristiano could also have scored that goal but football is not always ‘maybe’, it’s about getting a decision in the right moment.’