Erik ten Hag claims Cristiano Ronaldo can play a bigger role for Manchester United - if he follows his orders.
Ten Hag admits Ronaldo has been “p****d off” with his limited game time this season and he has made just one Premier League start. Ronaldo came off the bench to score his 700th club goal for the winner at Everton on Sunday to prove he still has something to offer United at 37.
The Portugal star will start Thursday's Europa League clash with Omonia Nicosia at Old Trafford and Ten Hag says he can play more if he sticks to his gameplan.
“I want to support him as good as possible,” said the United boss. “We have a certain demand on players, what we expect from him in certain positions on the pitch. What I do, like with all the players, is I want to get the best out of him. Obviously he is getting in better shape now and I’m happy with that so he can contribute more to the squad and I’m sure he will do.”
Ronaldo played just 45 minutes in pre-season and he missed United’s tour of Thailand and Australia for personal reasons as he pushed for a transfer. Ten Hag claims he is finally match fit after having to play catch-up with his team-mates’ conditioning.
“At the start, that was definitely the case,” he said. “It proves once again that no-one can miss a pre-season because you see the affects.”
Ronaldo is still Ten Hag’s third-choice No 9 behind Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, who will miss tonight’s game with a back injury.
United are three points behind Real Sociedad, who have a 100 per cent record, and Ten Hag has told his players it is vital they finish top of Group E to avoid having to face a Champions League team in a play-off for the knock-out stages. “I told the players weeks ago before the break that it’s important to be No 1 in the group so that will be our aim,” he said. “Our aim is always to win all the games, so it’s clear, we want to avoid that.”
Victor Lindelof has made just three starts this season, partly because of injury and the fact Ten Hag sees Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez as his first-choice centre-half pairing. The Swedish international says he is determined to impress Ten Hag whenever he gets the chance.
“I had a tough start to the season with the injury and I was not able to be involved in games,” he said. “I’m always available if the coach needs me and if I have an opportunity, I will help the team in the best way.”
