Van Basten said he believes Ronaldo will remain part of Ten Hag’s team, and that the new manager can help him adapt his game further
By Kehinde Okeowo
Ajax legend Marco van Basten has advised his compatriot and new Man United gaffer, Erik ten Hag not to listen to the media’s assessment of Cristiano Ronaldo when he resumes at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag is expected to leave Ajax for Manchester United at the end of the season, with Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani, and several other high-profile players expected to depart.
Manchester United may miss out on Champions League football next season and there are indications that Ronaldo may be unwilling to stay if they miss out on the elite European club competition.
Other reports have suggested Ten Hag does not have the Portuguese captain, who is arguably Manchester Uniteds’ best player this season in his plan.
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And former Dutch striker, Van Basten has countered calls for Ronaldo’s exit, saying he believes he will remain part of Ten Hag’s team, as he is confident that the new manager can help him adapt his game further.
“If Ronaldo carries on playing like he did last week (against Norwich) and scores two or three goals in a match on a regular basis, there is no need to take him out of the team,” Van Basten told The Rondo Show.
‘Ten Hag will take into account that he cannot ask the same things physically from Cristiano Ronaldo that he will be asking of an 18-year-old.
“Of course, Ronaldo will need to work hard – and I am sure he will work hard because I can see Ten Hag having an influence on him to get him to play how he wants.
“I will give Erik one piece of advice: don’t listen to the media when you start there.
“He will have such a massive focus on his own job, on his work on the training ground and on the team. And when he does that, I am sure he can change everything at United,” he said
