Cristiano Ronaldo scored a spectacular hat-trick as Manchester United defeated Tottenham before suggesting: ‘Perhaps he should travel to Portugal every week!’
Ronaldo created a stir last weekend when he returned home after being ruled out of the Manchester derby due to a hip flexor injury, sparking rumors he was unhappy with his status as a substitute.
However, the 37-year-old superstar came storming back after only two days of training this week to help United clinch a top-four finish with a 3-2 victory over Tottenham.
Rangnick confessed that managing Ronaldo is a ‘difficult,’ having previously stated that he was unaware of the player’s return to the United States.
However, United’s interim manager added: ‘We were joking, and it may make sense to send him to Portugal for three days, then have him miss two days of training before returning on Thursday, if that is the way he performs. Perhaps that will be the case for the remainder of the season.’
‘He was on a similar level in training on Thursday, which is why I chose to play him from the start following that session.’
‘He undoubtedly made an impact, but not just for the three goals. That was his best effort on and off the ball, at least since I arrived here.’ When asked about managing a player of Ronaldo’s caliber, Rangnick responded, ‘Yeah, it’s difficult. It’s difficult when you’re dealing with a player like him.’
‘However, he shown today that he retains the ability to play for a team like Manchester United. If we want to be successful at the season’s conclusion, we must work together.’
‘He demonstrated that he is physically capable of doing so, but we must equally acknowledge that he has not always been like that in recent weeks and months.’