Man Utd: £27m star 'trying too hard' under Ten Hag at Old Trafford

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo is “trying too hard” lately, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The 37-year-old has been on the bench for all-but one of United’s six matches and Jones reckons he needs a goal to regain his confidence.

Having returned late for pre-season, Ronaldo’s fitness levels were behind the rest of his teammates, which meant he started the campaign out of the side.

Anthony Martial’s injury last month did give Ronaldo a reprieve and saw him start against Brentford, but the 4-0 defeat quickly led to him being dropped from the side.

As a result, the £27m-rated forward has played just 80 minutes in United’s last four matches and he is still yet to get off the mark, with Erik ten Hag opting to start Marcus Rashford, who’s repaid his faith with three goals, up front.

With United winning each of their four, Ronaldo will most likely be on the bench in the league for the foreseeable future, unless he’s able to make an impression as a substitute.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I think once the rotation starts to kick in and he gets a few starts and a few goals under his belt.

“He does need that, there are times at the moment where it seems like he’s trying a little bit too hard. He won’t doubt himself, of course, but he does need a goal or two to get himself going.”

With Ronaldo down the pecking order in the Premier League, he’s going to have to look elsewhere to get opportunities.

And that could arrive in the Europa League when United get their group stage campaign underway against Real Sociedad tomorrow night.

United are back in action at Crystal Palace less than 72 hours after the Spanish side visit Old Trafford, so Ten Hag will surely look to shuffle his pack and rest the likes of Rashford, Jadon