Cristiano Ronaldo needs to get fitter and become more selfless if he wants to play a major part in Erik ten Hag’s new Manchester United.
United’s Dutch manager is pleased Ronaldo remains at the club after the transfer window but is clear the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has to adapt to the changing philosophy at Old Trafford rather than the other way around.
Ronaldo, 37, has started only once under ten Hag — the 4-0 defeat at Brentford — after missing the club’s tour to Australia for personal reasons, and he is likely to be on the bench again against Arsenal on Sunday as United have won three on the trot with a high-tempo attack of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes.