Doubts raised over Erik ten Hag ability to manage Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo

Former Nottingham Forest and Netherlands striker Pierre van Hooijdonk has questioned whether prospective Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will be able to be the bearer of bad news to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ten Hag, who has been sounded out as the favourite to take charge at Old Trafford this summer, is expected to leave Ajax and become United's next permanent manager. He has been interviewed for the role and is now the overwhelming favourite to pick up the baton from Ralf Rangnick.

Should he be installed as the German's successor, the size of the challenge awaiting him is an enormous one. United are in desperate need of the reset button being hit this summer and the first-team squad is set to undergo radical changes.

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Senior figures Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani and Juan Mata are set to leave the club at the end of June when their contracts expire and speculation surrounds the future of Ronaldo, despite his current deal not being up until the summer of 2023. He is United's leading marksman this season with 18 goals, but questions have been raised about whether or not the club should keep hold of him.

However, former Netherlands international Van Hooijdonk has suggested that Ten Hag should show Ronaldo the door. But he has questioned if he could be capable.

"It is a wonderful entry point," Van Hooijdonk told Studio Voetbal. "On the other hand, it is still very restless at the moment.

"So the big question is whether you can calm [it] down. You will also have to deal with Pogba and Ronaldo.

"Ronaldo in particular will gradually be removed from the team again. We'll just have to wait and see with Pogba.

"Is he able to give