Revealed: Ten Hag’s plans for Cristiano Ronaldo
Suraj Radia
- 7 Sept 2022 20:02 BST
- 3 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo may be questioning how has gone from pushing for Champions League football to sitting on Manchester United’s bench.
The Portuguese legend was hoping to leave Old Trafford this summer after United failed to qualify for the Champions League but a move failed to materialise.
Ronaldo has been a substitute for United’s last four games, all of which have been wins, as he slowly gains fitness having missed the majority of pre-season.
With the 37-year-old initially failing to impose himself in United’s opening two defeats, there were question marks over whether he could adapt to Erik ten Hag’s high-intensity pressing style.
But the United boss is expected to ease Ronaldo back into the starting line-up according to a claim by reporter Fabrizio Romano.
“All sources now tell me that Cristiano is working at the best level, he has never created a problem in training sessions and is respecting all the decisions of Ten Hag,” Romano explained.
“Ronaldo has spent a lot of time on the bench, but Manchester United know that Ten Hag wants to involve him more and more in the coming weeks.”
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What does the future hold for Ronaldo?
United initially ruled out a departure in the summer for their top scorer from last season, however their stance altered after the team’s dismal start to the season.
Some senior figures believed that selling Ronaldo would lift the spirits of the dressing room due to his negative attitude around the training ground.
However, the £70 million signing of Casemiro encouraged the veteran and he has since embraced his role following United’s four-straight wins.
You can tell Ronaldo hasn't seen a Europa League ball before 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/CXj0zAffGH
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) September 6, 2022
With Ronaldo’s contract set to expire next summer, he still look to leave in January following the World Cup, but his prospective destinations will be even less forthcoming as the Champions League will be into its knockout stages with just 16 teams remaining.
Clubs such as Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Chelsea all rejected the opportunity to sign Ronaldo in the summer and they would be unlikely to change their minds in January, meaning the striker may have to see out his contract in Manchester.
