Jaap Stam discusses Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire’s future at Manchester United after Erik ten Hag snubs

Jaap Stam has backed Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire to ‘step up’ and force their way back into Erik ten Hag’s immediate plans at Manchester United.

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Ronaldo has only started one of United’s six Premier League matches so far this season after spending much of the summer pushing for a move away from Old Trafford.

With super-agent Jorge Mendes failing to secure his client a move, Ronaldo will remain at United until at least January but it remains to be seen what role the Portugal legend is given.

Ten Hag has opted for the pace of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial over the experience of Ronaldo so far this season, but Stam says the five-time Ballon d’Or winner still has a crucial role to play at the club.

‘Cristiano is a fantastic player and I don’t know if he will become a problem,’ Stam told Metro.co.uk on behalf of Bet365. ‘He’s still a quality player, a great goalscorer.

‘He came in after pre-season not being fit enough and the manager’s making decisions, using players who are fit and ready to start.

‘Also, in terms of how he wants to play and the intensity of player, but Ronaldo is a player who wants to play every game.

‘I don’t think he’s the type of player who has his quality and has achieved what he has on the pitch to be happy sitting on the bench, so he’s going to show himself and push the others to perform.

‘Having someone like him around is great for the squad and the manager. I was at the game against Arsenal and from the side-lines it looks like Ronaldo is having a positive influence on the players on the bench, before the game, during it, more or less now he’s settled with his role and how the team are doing.

‘I can’t believe he’s agreeing with the role he has now