‘Plays as much as possible’ – Erik ten Hag told to play Ronaldo… even though stats shows Man Utd better WITHOUT him

ERIK TEN HAG should play Cristiano Ronaldo in his Manchester United side, according to ex-player Mikael Silvestre.

The Red Devils have been thriving without the Portuguese superstar in the team, losing just one of the eight Premier League games they have begun without him in the starting line-up.

Reuters

Ronaldo has been out of favour under Ten Hag this season[/caption]

That is compared with winning just one of the three league games with him in the starting XI – a 1-0 victory over West Ham on Sunday.

Ronaldo‘s other starting-berths have come in the 4-0 defeat to Brentford and goalless draw with Newcastle.

Yet Silvestre, who played with Ronaldo for five years at Old Trafford from 2003 to 2008, believes there is still a place for the Man Utd legend in Ten Hag‘s team.

Speaking to bettingexpert, he said: “I think Cristiano can add to the team.

“Whether it’s Premier League, Europa League, or when the cups start. When you score 20-plus goals from one season to another. He hasn’t aged five years.

“He might be less mobile than others, than Marcus Rashford for example, but top clubs need top strikers.

“It’s important that he plays as much as possible and that he’s available for the team.

“After that, the manager needs to find the balance to keep everybody fit, focused and happy.

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“And that’s why it’s complicated because being on the bench, nobody likes it, that’s for sure.”

Ronaldo has scored three goals in 14 appearances for United so far this season – just one of which has come in the Premier League.

He refused to come on as a substitute in the Red Devils’ 2-0 win over Tottenham last month.

And Ten Hag subsequently axed him from the squad for the 1-1 draw with Chelsea as punishment.

Ronaldo returned with a goal against Sheriff on Thursday and then started in the win over West Ham at the weekend.

But his future at Old Trafford remains unsure, with rumours of a January departure to Sporting Lisbon.