Erik ten Hag has expressed his confidence that Cristiano Ronaldo will be able to fit into his Manchester United team.
The Dutch manager has been tasked with having to handle one of the biggest stars in football wanting to leave his team.
The forward has been trying to engineer a move to a Champions League club, however, the Red Devils have stood firm over their stance of wanting to keep hold of him.
“But you always get judged by what you are now…”
🗣 “The team and Cristiano himself have to prove it.”
Erik ten Hag answers how Cristiano Ronaldo fits into Manchester United’s plans for the season pic.twitter.com/7lE8OfyGbs
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 3, 2022
The former Ajax boss has made a pretty successful start to life at Old Trafford with some solid signings and a strong pre-season.
Throughout these matches, the Red Devils have shown signs of quickly understanding what ten Hag is trying to implement.
Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have all looked sharp in the early stages of the new season.
However, despite all these promising signs, there has been one dark cloud looming over Old Trafford.
The future of Cristiano Ronaldo has been a major talking point, with the Portuguese forward trying to force his way out of the club.
The 37-year-old is desperate to play in the Champions League next season.
He missed the start of United’s pre-season as he went in search of a new club.
Ronaldo certainly didn’t help the situation by leaving Old Trafford early whilst United were still in action against Rayo Vallecano.
But regardless of the star’s behaviour, ten Hag insists that when fit, Ronaldo will be able to fit into his team and prove himself.
Ten Hag said:
“I think he can. But, it starts with he has to get fit, he just started, and he is a fantastic football player.
“And he proved it so many times. But you can always be judged by what you are now…what you are presenting now…performing now.
“So, the team, Cristiano, and I have to prove it.”
