Cristiano Ronaldo
Erik ten Hag has dropped a hint on recalling Cristiano Ronaldo into his Manchester United starting lineup ahead of Real Sociedad and Crystal Palace clashes. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has started just one of United’s six Premier League games so far this season. His last start came in the 4-0 defeat at Brentford. United have won four games in a row since then, with Marcus Rashford registering three goals and two assists in the leading striker role. But with United in Europa League action ahead of Sunday’s trip to Selhurst Park against Palace, Ronaldo is expected to be named in the starting line-up against Real Sociedad on Thursday night, reports Manchester Evening News.
Erik Ten Hag said: “He started against Brentford. Then not since but he is ready to start. Maybe I cannot keep all [players] happy every game but everyone gets their game-time if they perform well, quite clear. We need everyone, we have a lot of games to cover in front of us, it’s not only the national teams and the World Cup but the cups in England, the Europa League, the League Cup and, of course, the Premier League.”
With a hectic schedule involving domestic and European fixtures ahead of the World Cup break in November, many expect ten Hag to rotate his starting XI against Sociedad. Casemiro is yet to make his first start since his £70million move from Real Madrid. United captain Harry Maguire was an unused substitute for three matches in a row following the 4-0 defeat at Brentford, before a ten-minute cameo against Arsenal on Sunday. Former Palace defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka has had just four minutes of action this season and has not started for United since late April.
Erik Ten Hag said: “We have to win every game, we want to win every tournament, so we take everything seriously. We not only have a team, we have a squad, that is clear, but we have to win every game. That is the mentality Manchester United needs.”
