Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Samuel Luckhurst

Erik ten Hag hints at Cristiano Ronaldo role now he is staying at Manchester United

Erik ten Hag scotched at the suggestion Cristiano Ronaldo could have a "bit-part role" at Manchester United this season.

Despite months of uncertainty, the transfer window closed with Ronaldo still a United player until January, at least.

The 37-year-old has only started one of United's five games so far this season and Ronaldo emerged in the second-half for the third game running in United's win at Leicester on Thursday night.

Read more: United player ratings

Ten Hag has named the same side in all three matches but is likely to make changes for the visit of Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday.

"As we said that," Ten Hag said of Ronaldo staying. "It's really early in the season and we have a squad. We have more than 11 starting players, that is what you see now, players now on the bench can play in one, two or three weeks."

After a terrible two weeks at the start of the season, United have had a terrific couple of weeks, winning their last three games and securing the signings of Casemiro and Antony for a combined fee of £155million.

United were bottom of the league table last Monday after a 4-0 thrashing at Brentford but have soared to fifth as they prepare to entertain Arsenal on Sunday.

Arsenal are the only team in the Football League pyramid with a 100 per cent record but have won just once in the league at Old Trafford since 2006.

Ten Hag downplayed suggestions United had turned a corner with three consecutive wins and said the squad did not dwell on the debacle at Brentford.

"We have to construct the right winning culture and that is also a process and you cannot take one point like Brentford, it's a strategy, it's a routine, it's a way of life, daily based," he added.

"And what we have to bring to Carrington, the players but also the coaches, the manager, everyone in the club, is high standards."

READ NEXT:

  • Martinez is showing on and off camera why United fans love him
  • Why United have signed Dubravka
  • When Antony could make United debut
  • Ten Hag tells fans what to expect from Antony
  • All the United news and views
  • Sign up to read this article
    Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
    Already a member? Sign in here
    Related Stories
    Top stories on inkl right now
    One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
    Already a member? Sign in here
    Our Picks
    Fourteen days free
    Download the app
    One app. One membership.
    100+ trusted global sources.