Erik ten Hag insists wantaway star Cristiano Ronaldo CAN fit into his new-look Manchester United system, but the Portuguese forward ‘has to get fit’ after missing out on pre-season
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has no doubt that forward Cristiano Ronaldo can fit into his system – but he must prove himself first.
Ronaldo’s future at United has been the subject of intense speculation all summer with the 37-year-old wanting out as United have no Champions League football this season, just a year after he made a sensational return from Juventus.
The wantaway Portuguese star did return to United training last week and made his first appearance under the new manager in Sunday’s final pre-season friendly with Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at United has been the subject of intense speculation all summer
Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United’s friendly with Rayo Vallecano on Sunday early
He caused further controversy by leaving before the end of their 1-1 friendly draw against the Spanish side, something new boss Ten Hag has since labelled ‘unacceptable’.
Despite plenty being made about whether Ronaldo still has the ability to press from the front and play in a modern system that ten Hag tends to implement at United.
The former Ajax manager believes there is certainly a place for him in the side but he will need to earn it, especially given the form of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho as a front three during pre-season.
Plenty has been made about whether Ronaldo still has the ability to press from the front and play in a modern system, which United boss Erik ten Hag intends to implement
The Dutchman believes there is certainly a place for him in the side but he will need to earn it
‘I think he can,’ he told Sky Sports. ‘But to start with he has to get fit, he’s just started.
‘He is a fantastic football player, he proved it so many times, but you can always be judged on what you are now, what you are presenting now, performing now.
‘So the team and Cristiano himself have to prove it.’
The former Real Madrid star has had a disrupted pre-season as he didn’t travel with the rest of squad on their pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia due to family…