Erik ten Hag confirms Cristiano Ronaldo plan for Manchester United vs Rayo Vallecano

Erik ten Hag has admitted he does not know how many minutes Cristiano Ronaldo will play against Rayo Vallecano.

Ronaldo was named in United's starting line up to play Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. The fixture is United's final match of pre-season but Ronaldo's first appearance this summer, with the forward having been absent due to family reasons.

The 37-year-old expressed his desire to leave the club earlier this month and he wasn't on United's tour of Thailand and Australia. Ronaldo eventually returned to Carrington on Tuesday with agent Jorge Mendes as he held talks over his future.

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The Reds travelled to Oslo to play Atletico Madrid on Saturday and Ronaldo was not included in that squad, but he is making his first and overdue start of pre-season against Rayo Vallecano today, leading the attack alongside a youthful United side.

Ten Hag, speaking ahead of the game, was asked about Ronaldo's return and he admitted he does not know how many minutes he will play today. "Garnacho played 90 minutes against Wrexham this week," Ten Hag told MUTV when asked about his selection.

"It’s Ronaldo’s first time, he’s had one-week training and we will see. It’s always difficult to say [Rayo Vallecano test]. When you analyse them, they’re really competitive, really skilful players, we are really looking forward and it’s a good test."

Ronaldo is not expected to start United's first game of the new season against Brighton on Sunday, August 7.

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