Cristiano Ronaldo has proclaimed himself fit for United’s season opener against Brighton on Sunday, putting Erik ten Hag in a difficult position to decide whether to start the Portuguese star.
The 37-year-old has spent the summer attempting to find a way out of Old Trafford, and he skipped United’s pre-season tour of Asia and Australia due to ‘family circumstances.’
Ronaldo has only played 45 minutes of pre-season for the club, putting him behind the rest of the United group in terms of fitness for the next season.
Erik ten Hag took Ronaldo off at halftime of United’s 1-1 tie with Rayo Vallecano last Saturday to safeguard him in his first appearance under his leadership.
However, the Manchester United player has attempted to force the Dutchman’s hand by uploading a picture of himself from that game with the word’ready’ scribbled down the side. He also used the praying and bicep flexing emojis to emphasize his point.
The Instagram story appears to be a strong indication to Ten Hag that Ronaldo believes he is ready to play, adding pressure on the new United manager to play Ronaldo against the Seagulls.
The injury to Anthony Martial complicates matters further. The Frenchman, who was in blistering form during preseason, has a hamstring rupture and will miss the Red Devils’ season opener.
His injury leaves United low on attacking options, which means Ten Hag might turn to Ronaldo rather than risk the drama that would ensue if he left the striker on the bench.
Ronaldo is thought to have been working with the club’s conditioning experts to regain his fitness, but playing someone who has had so little game time during the summer would still be a risk.
The Portuguese superstar has been unable to leave Manchester United this summer, with Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Atletico Madrid all rejecting bids for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.
There have apparently been large lucrative offers from elsewhere for Cristiano, but the Manchester United legend still believes he has what it takes to play for a Champions League side.
The Red Devils will be hoping to revenge their 4-0 humiliation at the hands of Brighton in the season’s last game on Sunday.
Ronaldo started the game, but Erik ten Hag is yet to respond to his social media message and include him in his team selection.