Erik ten Hag expects Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo to return for Premier League clash against Fulham
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag expects Cristiano Ronaldo to return to the squad for the Premier League clash against Fulham. The Red Devils take on the Cottagers away on Sunday (13 November).
The Portugal international missed the game against Aston Villa at Old Trafford. The Manchester-based club took on the Lions in the third round of the Carabao Cup and won 4-2. We will take on Burnley next in the competition.
Speaking to the media via Manchester Evening News, Ten Hag was optimistic about the five-time Ballon d’Or winner featuring for United on the weekend at Craven Cottage.
“I can’t guarantee that now but he was ill today, he can recover from that. It’s not a really serious illness that takes days or weeks, so I think it’s possible he will be available for Sunday and in the squad.”
Ronaldo had been given a good run in the starting lineup in recent weeks. The Portuguese star had started three consecutive games for the Red Devils before the Carabao Cup fixture.
The 37-year-old has generally been on the peripheries at the Old Trafford side this season. Playing 90 minutes has been rare for the forward.
Ten Hag has preferred other options ahead of Ronaldo in the team. As a result, the 37-year-old has been handed just four starts from United’s 13 league games.
After the Tottenham Hotspur match, the Portuguese icon was suspended for the Chelsea fixture for refusing to come on as a substitute. However, two weeks later at Villa Park, the forward led the team onto the pitch wearing the armband.
While Ronaldo has been handed opportunities in recent weeks, he has been underwhelming. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has struggled to make a considerable impact when he has featured.
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Marcus Rashford or Anthony Martial have started ahead of the Portuguese and have seemingly pipped him in the pecking order. And without the 37-year-old, the team have evidently been more fluid. However, it remains to be seen who the gaffer counts on against Fulham to lead the line.
