Erik ten Hag: ‘I want to play in a certain way and Ronaldo can contribute to that’

Erik ten Hag is three weeks into his first pre-season as Manchester United’s manager and has led them to wins over Liverpool and Melbourne Victory on the summer tour of Thailand and Australia. Prior to Tuesday’s meeting with Crystal Palace at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Dutchman sat down to discuss Cristiano Ronaldo’s future, why Harry Maguire must prove himself, his occasional tea-cup throwing, and other issues.

Cristiano [Ronaldo], who wishes to leave the club, has a year left on his contract. How difficult is it to accommodate him when, if he stays, this will only be for one more season?

Ten Hag “I am well informed – he also has an option [for a further season].”

So he could stay beyond this season?

TH “Yes. Of course I have signed here for three years, but in football it’s short-term as well. We have to win from the start. So I don’t look that far ahead. I have a strategy, it’s a process, it takes time, but we have to make sure from the outset there is a winning team.”

Ronaldo is not on tour due to a family situation. Have you spoken to him while out here?

TH “The same status as last week in Bangkok [he has not]. No change.”

Cristiano hasn’t done a pre-season. Are you planning to start the season without him so he can catch up?

TH “I think so but he is training. We all know Ronaldo is a top professional and will be fit, that is the last concern I have.”

Can he play regularly at 37 for a Ten Hag team that likes to press from the front at the age of 37?

TH “Cristiano is capable of doing that. In his career he has shown everything.”

He won’t slow you down?

TH “I have set my demand. We want to play in a certain way. A top player can contribute and Ronaldo is an absolute top player in our squad.”

Will Ronaldo return