Man Utd: 337-game star 'pretty obviously' down Ten Hag's pecking order

Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has lost his place at the top of the pecking order for the central striker role thanks to Marcus Rashford enjoying ‘a new lease of life’ at Old Trafford, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Ronaldo has made 337 appearances over the course of two spells with the Red Devils, while he has scored 142 goals in the process, but he has not been a regular starter during the early stages of the season.

Ronaldo has only been included in the starting line-up twice since Erik ten Hag took over as Manchester United’s boss, but his current employers were defeated on both of those occasions.

While the 37-year-old has entered the final 12 months of his £480,000-per-week contract at Old Trafford, he was keen to seal his departure during the summer transfer window.

It emerged during the close season that Ronaldo had told the Manchester United hierarchy he wanted to leave the club due to wanting to compete in the Champions League.

The frontman’s agent, Jorge Mendes, held talks with Chelsea owner Todd Boehly, where a switch to Stamford Bridge was discussed, while links to Napoli also surfaced.

Ronaldo rejected what was described as an ‘obscene’ offer from Saudi Arabian champions Al-Hilal, while their rivals Al-Nassr failed with a summer proposal as well.

O’Rourke believes Ronaldo is set for a prolonged period out of ten Hag’s preferred XI due to the form of Rashford.

The journalist feels it will be difficult for the 189-cap Portugal international to move back to the top of the pecking order thanks to his team-mate’s impressive start to the campaign.

When asked whether Ronaldo is not ten Hag’s first choice striker at Manchester United during an interview on Tuesday, O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: