Erik ten Hag receives Cristiano Ronaldo’s instruction as Fred hints at a Manchester United return
Former Holland captain Marco van Basten has counseled incoming Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag on star forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
Fans and analysts alike have been divided by the 37-year-return old’s to the Premier League.
Despite repeated criticism, the Portugal captain has frequently proven to be the match-winner for United, scoring two hat-tricks and scoring his 100th Premier League goal in Saturday’s loss to Arsenal.
His future at Old Trafford has been a source of contention since his arrival, with some claiming he will not fit into Ten Hag’s system next season.
Van Basten, on the other hand, disagrees with the recommendation that he quit. He stated:
“If Ronaldo carries on playing like he did last week (against Norwich) and scores two or three goals in a match on a regular basis, there is no need to take him out of the team.
“Ronaldo is a player who does his own thing, but as long as he delivers, you have to give him a place in the team,” he said speaking to the Rondo show. “Ten Hag will take into account that he cannot ask the same things physically from Cristiano Ronaldo that he will be asking of an 18-year-old.
“Of course, Ronaldo will need to work hard – and I am sure he will work hard because I can see Ten Hag having an influence on him to get him to play how he wants. I will give Erik one piece of advice: don’t listen to the media when you start there.
“He will have such a massive focus on his own job, on his work on the training ground and on the team. And when he does that, I am sure he can change everything at United.”
Fred drops injury return hint with Instagram post
Fred looks to have confirmed his return to Manchester United training with an Instagram post.
United have had to adapt without Fred, their midfield motor, since he injured his hip flexor muscle against Everton in early April.
The Toffees won that game despite the absence of the Brazilian, and they have lost two more games in the three games he has missed subsequently, to Liverpool and Arsenal.
Even the game United did win without Fred, against bottom-of-the-table Norwich City, was by the skin of their teeth after they blew a two-goal lead.
Ralf Rangnick has clearly missed him in midfield, and the German will be hoping Fred will be able to play a role in the final four games of the season.
On Monday, the 29-year-old took to his Instagram story and released a short film of himself dressed in his football boots, along with the phrase ‘a blessed week to all,’ implying he is back on the field and one step closer to a return to action.
It’s unclear whether Fred was only working on his fitness on the grass or if he was back in the full session with the rest of his teammates ahead of Thursday’s encounter against Chelsea.
Speaking last week, Rangnick seemed optimistic that Fred would be back soon. He said:
“[Pogba] pulled his calf muscle and, as it seems right now, this will not be an injury like the one Fred has which will be gone in one week.”
Fred’s comeback will be a significant help for United, who are set to be without Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani, and Luke Shaw for the remainder of the season due to injuries.
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As Erik ten Hag receives Cristiano Ronaldo’s instruction as Fred hints at a Manchester United return
