Cristiano Ronaldo will play for Manchester United Sunday against Rayo Vallecano, confirmed manager Erik ten Hag, who is delighted to lead his team at Old Trafford for the first time.
The Portuguese striker pushed for a transfer this summer, but with a stalemate between player and club, he will return to action in the friendly against the Spanish side.
While most of the first team was involved in a friendly defeat to Atletico Madrid Saturday in Oslo, the 37-year-old was in Carrington, where he trained with some younger members of the United squad.
However, Ten Hag confirmed that the legendary attacker will play on Sunday: ‘Tomorrow he will be in the selection. We’ll see how long he can play.’
The Premier League season is just a week away and Ronaldo gets his first minutes of pre-season on Sunday, so he is well behind his teammates in match fitness.
He will be on the pitch this weekend, but he certainly won’t start when the Red Devils host Brighton in their first league game on 7 August.
Outside of the Ronaldo circus, Ten Hag is delighted to take charge of United for the first time at Old Trafford, following a global preseason so far.
It is expected to be a full house in Manchester and, even with a much changed team, he will expect a win.
“The players who played from the beginning today, won’t be coming tomorrow. So tomorrow we have a different base. But players have been added who can start tomorrow,” Ten Hag said in Oslo.
‘I think [it will be special]. After that I can tell you the feeling, but it would be great. I heard it was sold out, so it’s fantastic.
“We have to prepare for this match now. We have to get back soon to prepare well for tomorrow’s start against Rayo Vallecano.’
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