Cristiano Ronaldo: Erik Ten Hag backs the Portugal star to 'contribute more' now he is fully fit

Erik ten Hag says he wants «to get the best out» of Cristiano Ronaldo and believes that he will now play a more important part in his squad. Ronaldo has started just one game for United in the Premier League this season — a 4-0 defeat against Brentford on August 13 — but has been named in the starting XI for all three of United's Europa League matches this campaign.

Ad The 37-year-old came off the bench and scored his first Premier League goal of the season, and his 700th club goal, in United's 2-1 win against Everton on Sunday. Ballon d'OrMessi, Ronaldo, Zidane, Platini — previous winners of the Ballon d’Or4 HOURS AGO Ahead of United's clash against Omonia Nicosia in Group E of the Europa League at Old Trafford on Thursday evening, Ten Hag says he wants to «support» Ronaldo and that the Portugal international has been catching up with his fitness after missing pre-season.

«I want to support him as much as possible,» he told reporters. «We have a certain demand on players, what we expect from them, in certain positions on the pitch.

»I want to get the best out of him, he is getting into better shape now and he can contribute more to the squad. «At the start, it was the case [lack of fitness], it's proven once again, no one can miss a pre-season.» Glazer family 'don't want to sell Manchester United' — Ratcliffe 'Class always rises' — Ferdinand and Cole laud Ronaldo after Everton showing How to watch Manchester United v Omonia in the Europa League Last month Ronaldo was charged by the FA for improper conduct after he knocked a mobile phone out of the hands of a young Everton fan as he made his way down the tunnel following United's 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park in April.

Ten Hag says Ronaldo will not accept the charge. He