Posted: 19:19, 30 July 2022 | Updated: 19:19, 30 July 2022
Erik Ten Hag has confirmed that estranged star striker Cristiano Ronaldo will feature in the upcoming pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano. Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils will host the La Liga side in their final warm-up game just a week before the start of the Premier League season. United host Brighton in their opening league game on August 7. Ten Haag confirmed the news in his post-match press conference following United’s 1-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid in Oslo, saying: “He will be in the team tomorrow. We’ll see how long he can play.’ Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed on social media that he is back in training with Manchester United Manchester United manager Erik ten Haag has confirmed that Ronaldo will play against Rayo Vallecano Speculation is rife over the superstar’s future, with Ronaldo – the Champions League’s record goalscorer – keen to join a team competing in Europe’s top competition. However, United’s reluctance to let him go combined with the reported lack of offers from other clubs could see him stay in Manchester for another season. Ronaldo broke his public silence by declaring his intentions to play in Sunday’s game at Old Trafford in an Instagram post where he announced: “Sunday, the king plays.” Ronaldo announced his return to United on Instagram saying ‘Sunday the king plays’ The 37-year-old has not featured in any of Manchester United’s pre-season games so far and was absent from the club’s international tours of Thailand and Australia. He was then further left out of the 21-man squad traveling to Norway, despite returning to Carrington’s training complex. Ten Hag fueled further speculation that Ronaldo could be in line to start Sunday’s match against La Liga rivals by stating that the players who started on Saturday will not feature. “The players who played today from the beginning, will not come tomorrow. So tomorrow we will have a different starting line-up. “But there are players who have come in and can start tomorrow,” he said. That means strikers Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Anthony Elanga and Bruno Fernandes will not feature, leaving space in the squad for Ronaldo to mark his return. Atletico Madrid supporters group insist they ‘wouldn’t accept’ Ronaldo signing The 37-year-old’s agent Jorge Mendes is believed to be working out Ronaldo’s options for the upcoming season. Ronaldo is well aware of the speculation surrounding his future, but in response to a fan account on Instagram, he said the media were indulging in “lies”. “Impossible not to talk about me one day,” Ronaldo wrote. “Otherwise the press doesn’t make money. “You know if you don’t lie you can’t get people’s attention. Keep going so that one day you will have some news right.’ He also attached a crying face emoji and a laughing emoji. Cristiano Ronaldo has hit back at an Instagram post discussing rumors about his future at Old Trafford
