Rio Ferdinand tells Erik ten Hag the first thing he must do with Cristiano Ronaldo

Erik ten Hag must sit down with Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo and outline his role within the squad next season, Rio Ferdinand has said.

The 37-year-old has been a rare standout performer for United in an otherwise disappointing season for United. On Monday he picked up his fourth player of the month award, having to date scored 23 goals - including two hat-tricks.

However, with Ronaldo's surprise summer return to Old Trafford blamed by some as the downfall of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's time in charge, questions have been raised over Ten Hag's plans for the footballing great. As such, Ferdinand has some advice for the incoming manager.

Ferdinand said on Vibe with Five: "A manager [must] sit down and have a conversation with your most influential player. Be strong enough to tell him: 'this is how you're going to be used, this is what works for me, this is what works for the football club, we can't do what you've done for the whole of your career which is win year in, year out and you won't be scoring 50-60 goals a season.'

"There will be decline with age, that's fine and your body deteriorates at a different rate when you're 37 years old. You've got to work sensible and Cristiano isn't stupid, he understands, but it's packaging it in a way that it is 'this works for us' that's the conversation.

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"[It can't be] 'we'll have an adult conversation and see how it works out'. Package it up as the season starts so you all know how to attack the season and how your most influential person at the club fits into that.

"Once you agree that, it becomes easier and that's an important thing that needs to happen. Talk to him, you're the