Ten Hag: Ronaldo in squad for Rayo
Sunday's friendly against Rayo Vallecano will be shown live on the United App, MUTV and ManUtd.com.
United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will be part of the matchday squad for our final pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano.
The Portuguese forward returned to training this week, having been given extra time off due to family issues.
Our no.7 has been focusing on his fitness during the last few days, and posted a photo from Carrington shortly after United's game against Atletico Madrid.
Ronaldo is now looking forward to potentially playing a part in tomorrow's game at Old Trafford (16:00 BST).
Working in progress…💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/E2G5ZEayeG
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) July 30, 2022
After United's defeat in Oslo, Ten Hag told international media: "Tomorrow he will be in the squad. We’ll see how long he can play."
The Dutchman also confirmed that his starting XI to face Rayo Vallecano on Sunday will look very different to the one which narrowly lost to Atletico.
Erik explained: “The players who played today from the start, they will not come on tomorrow. So tomorrow we will have a different starting XI. But there are players who came on who can start tomorrow.”
Erik made a handful of changes in hot conditions in Oslo, with new signing Christian Eriksen standing out with an impressive performance after joining the fray after 69 minutes.
The likes of Donny van de Beek and Facundo Pellistri were also among those who got minutes from the bench, while summer signing Lisandro Martinez – who did not feature – now looks set to make his United debut on Sunday.
And it isn’t just the Argentinian who will be experiencing an Old Trafford matchday for the first time, as the visit of Rayo is Ten Hag’s first match as United manager at the Theatre of Dreams.
What impressed Erik in Oslo?
"The score is not good," says Ten Hag, but the boss was pleased with elements of our play against Atleti...
The new manager will take his place in the home dugout – which has been changed for the coming season, with his approval – and Ten Hag is looking forward to it.
“I think [it will be special],” he said. “After, I can tell you the feeling, but it would be great. I heard it was sold out, so it is fantastic.
“We have to prepare for this game now. We have to travel back soon to get well prepared for the start tomorrow against Rayo Vallecano.”