Erik ten Hag insists Cristiano Ronaldo ‘will fit’ into his style of play at Manchester United and has confirmed the forward will remain at the club.
Ronaldo’s future has dominated the headlines this summer with the 37-year-old having expressed a desire to leave for a club competing in the Champions League.
United have insisted that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is not for sale, while a lack of credible suitors has seen Ronaldo remain at Old Trafford as the deadline approaches.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Thursday’s clash with Leicester on the club’s transfer business this summer, Ten Hag has discussed Ronaldo’s role this season and says the forward remains a part of his ‘vision’ for the coming campaign.
“From the start we said we’d plan with him so that is your vision, it’s not my vision,” he said. “I think we are happy with him, he’s happy to be here and we want to make this season a success together.”
Ten Hag was asked whether Ronaldo had accepted his situation and said both he and the Portugal captain are ‘on one page’.
“Several times, yeah. We are on one page, so.”
Asked if Ronaldo was happy to move forward with Ten Hag and United, he added: “Otherwise he wasn’t here.”
The Dutchman also said he has no doubts that Ronaldo can fit into his brand of football, with the forward having started as a substitute in recent wins over Liverpool and Southampton.
“The way of play sets the demands. You can see in training it’s clear that he has the capabilities. So he will fit in because he’s – I don’t have to explain – a great player. He has great capabilities, so he will fit in every system or in every style.”
Ten Hag also confirmed that Ronaldo is ‘receptive’ on the manager’s style of football and his demands from the player.
“Yes. Clear. That’s why we’re talking. I said we are on one page and he knows what the demand is.”
