EUROPEAN FOOTBALL

Marco van Basten believes Cristiano Ronaldo will be given a key role by ten Hag 

Manchester United

Former Netherlands forward Marco van Basten thinks Cristiano Ronaldo will have a big role to play for Erik ten Hag’s team next season. 

Following the official announcement that the Dutchman will join the Old Trafford outfit as the next permanent manager from next season. The 37-year-old’s future is under threat at the theatre of dreams. 

Previous reports were claiming that the new manager has already expressed his desire to rebuild Manchester United without the veteran forward in the squad. 

However, speaking on the Rondo Show(via Metro). Former striker Marco van Basten claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo could turn out to be a key part of Erik ten Hag’s squad next season if the veteran forward continues to perform like he has done this season. The Dutchman said:

“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. Ronaldo is a player who does his own thing, but as long as he delivers, you have to give him a place in the team. 

“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.’’ 

Is Marco van Basten right about his claim? 

Cristiano Ronaldo will play a key role in ten Hag’s team if the Portuguese stays at the club beyond this season. However, it is unimaginable that the 37-year-old is playing for a club who are not in the Champions League. 

Manchester United is unlikely to qualify for Europe’s elite club competition. Therefore, the veteran forward might opt to leave the club in order to play in the Champions League next season. 

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