Aheed Abrar
Erik ten Hag feels Cristiano Ronaldo “really important” for Manchester United ahead of Real Sociedad clash
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is happy with the reintegration of Cristiano Ronaldo into the team. The Portugal international is now set to start his third consecutive fixture for the Red Devils against Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday (3 November).
The 37-year-old has found himself on the periphery of the Dutch manager’s plans this season. And against Tottenham Hotspur, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner refused to come on and proceeded down the tunnel before full-time.
Consequently, Ronaldo found himself out of the Old Trafford side’s squad for the game against Chelsea. Fortunately, since then, the forward has gotten back into the starting lineup, featuring the full 90 minutes against Sheriff Tiraspol and West Ham United.
Man United are currently on a good run, having been unbeaten in the last eight matches in all competitions. Our last loss came against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium as the Sky Blues scored six past us.
In the UEL, the Red Devils sit second in the table behind La Real in Group E. And fans will hope the Old Trafford side beat the La Liga outfit at the Reale Arena by a two-goal margin to secure the top spot.
Ronaldo will likely be in the starting lineup, with Antony, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial all unavailable. Speaking ahead of the fixture to the media via Manchester Evening News, Ten Hag is looking forward to the Portuguese star coming up against a Spanish opposition.
“First of all, if you talk about his feelings you have to ask him, not me.
“He is really professional, he’s in a group, he’s a leader type, he’s a really important part of this group and in Spain he’s a real threat to every defence, every gap he will use.”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner spent nine years playing for Real Madrid in La Liga. And against the club from the Basque Country in the Spanish top flight, the forward has 15 goals in nine appearances.
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Ronaldo did not have the best of outings against La Real in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford. Hopefully, the 37-year-old can help us avoid the UEL play-offs and secure a spot in the round of 16.
