Cristiano Ronaldo (37) returns to Manchester United’s heat after a turbulent week. He can get game time in Thursday’s home match with Sheriff Tiraspol.
This was revealed by the United manager Erik ten Hags the press conference the day before the game in the pool Europa League.
– Cristiano will be in the squad tomorrow. He was out for a game and now he’s back, the Dutchman said.
The fight with Ronaldo at United has dominated the sports pages of the British media in the last week. The champion has left the bench and the stadium several minutes before the end of the match in United’s 2-0 win over Tottenham.
Ten Hag said the Portuguese refused to be traded.
The behavior was not well received by the United boss. Less than a day later Ronaldo was banned from the squad at the league match with Chelsea a few days later.
The 37-year-old has only started two of the eight games he played in the Premier League this fall. Plus, he’s been sitting there in two more league games without having a chance. Ronaldo, on the other hand, has played all four games so far in the Europa League.
With at least one point against Moldovan sheriff Tiraspol, Manchester United will have the certainty of advancing to Europe, but victory will likely be necessary if the redhead is to be the group winner ahead of Real Sociedad. The Spaniards lead Pool E with three points more than United.
The two best teams will meet in San Sebastian next week.
Ten Hag has stated that defender Raphael Varane will not return before the World Cup and that striker Anthony Martial is still out with an injury.
