Erik ten Hag has insisted that he is “looking forward to working” with Cristiano Ronaldo at Man Utd as the forward is “not for sale”.
The Dutchman is the sixth manager to take the hot seat at Man Utd following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
Ten Hag is relishing the prospect of helping United battle for major trophies again with his guidance.
Manchester United ‘swap deal’ temptation as man turns up for work elsewhere
“Manchester United is a big name,” the Dutchman told the PA news agency. “It’s a real challenge to get them again restored to where they belong. I am highly motivated to get that done.
“We want to win every game and it doesn’t matter who the opponent is.
“I think that belongs to the status of Manchester United and that is what we will do. That will be the demand of the squad and of every player.”
United have not won any silverware since 2017 and Ten Hag takes over at a time when there is palpable fan anger against the owners.
Furious with the debt, dividends and perceived mismanagement, thousands of supporters protested against the Glazer family during the final home matches of last season.
Asked if he had sought any assurance from the owners and spoken to the Glazer family, United boss Ten Hag said: “Yes, I have spoken with them.
“They told me they want to get success and that it is the only thing they want. That is what they expect from me, to bring the success.”
Ten Hag sees frustrated star Ronaldo as an important part of that quest for glory.
The 37-year-old made a shock return to Old Trafford last summer but an impressive campaign on an individual level could not stop the Red Devils slumping home in sixth.
This season’s lack of Champions League football has not sat well with Ronaldo, who it recently emerged has asked to be allowed to leave if an acceptable offer arrived.
A family issue meant he has missed United’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, but Ten Hag has again underlined that Ronaldo is in his vision for the season ahead.
“It is clear – he is not for sale,” he said after training in Melbourne. “I planned with (having) him and I am looking forward to working with him.
“But for the rest I cannot say anymore because the situation is still the same as last week.”
It will be interesting to see how Ronaldo fits into Ten Hag’s pressing style, so too the squad’s ability to adapt to that approach after interim boss Ralf Rangnick struggled to implement it last…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Football365…