The Portuguese superstar is back in the side after last week’s tantrum (Picture: Getty)
Erik ten Hag has drawn a line under Cristiano Ronaldo’s tantrum last week by restoring him to Manchester United’s starting XI to face FC Sheriff and urged the veteran forward to stake a claim to start at the weekend too.
The Portuguese superstar was left out of United’s squad for Saturday’s dramatic 1-1 draw with Chelsea after refusing to come on against Tottenham last week and storming down the tunnel before the match was over.
Ronaldo is believed to have been fined two weeks’ wages and was made to train with the youth team prior to his teammates’ trip to Stamford Bridge.
But Ten Hag feels the five-time Ballon d’Or winner – who was greeted by a few boos when he arrived at Old Trafford on Thursday – has been sufficiently disciplined for his tantrum and wants him to seize his opportunity on the pitch.
Asked how Ronaldo convinced him to be restored to the starting XI, Ten Hag told BT Sport: ‘In that part he doesn’t have to convince me – he has to convince me on the pitch!
‘He gets the opportunity and he’s an important part of the squad.
‘We have to play a role in all the competitions. Today we need goals, we want to win, we have to win because we want to be number one in the group.’
Ronaldo has been back training with the first-team squad (Picture: Getty)
Reacting to Ronaldo’s return to the starting line-up, BT Sport pundit and United legend Paul Scholes said: ‘I think it’s been dealt with.
‘The manager has dealt with it really well now, he’s answered so many questions about it. I think it’s done. Cristiano has obviously gone to see him, they’ve had a good meeting about it, and the right thing has happened.
‘He’s available to play, he’s trained with [the senior team] this week. It’s out of the way, it’s done, old news, let them carry on with the game.’
Ten Hag named a strong line-up for the visit of FC Sheriff with United needing to win both their final matches in order to guarantee top spot – and avoid a play-off clash with a Champions League drop-out in February.
The likes of Antony, Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes have all retained their places while Lisandro Martinez – who is one yellow away from a suspension – has also been risked.
Asked if it was gamble to play the Argentine centre-back, Ten Hag replied: ‘There’s always [a risk] but Harry Maguire just returned to team training, not even a week that he’s fulfilled total team training, so we have to build him again, his fitness levels have to get up.
‘But as you know, Raphael Varane is injured so we don’t have a choice and we want to be number one in this group.’
MORE : Erik ten Hag rates Manchester United’s Europa League campaign so far
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Portuguese superstar is back in the side after last week’s tantrum.