Erik ten Hag has insisted that Cristiano Ronaldo is “totally committed” to Manchester United after he broke his season drought in Europa League action.
The Portuguese was selected to start for the Red Devils in their second Europa League group against Sheriff Tiraspol and scored his first goal of the season from the penalty spot after compatriot Diogo Dalot had been fouled. Of course, it was uncertain whether Ronaldo would ever play for United again earlier this summer after he lodged a request to leave Old Trafford just a year after his emotional return from Juventus.
With the window now shut, the 37-year-old is set to remain as a Red Devil until January at the very least and Ten Hag has reaffirmed that Ronaldo remains dedicated to the club and stated that he is closing in on full fitness having missed large swaths of pre-season as questions swirled over his future.
Speaking after the full-time whistle in Moldova, the United boss said: "He's [Ronaldo] really close, when he gets more fitness he will score more. He's totally committed to this project, totally involved, he also has connections that are coming around him [on the pitch] and he is constructing connections so I'm happy with that."
Ronaldo’s goal against Sheriff was his first of the season - and in fact the first-time he had ever scored in the Europa League during his lengthy career.
Having scored on 24 occasions last term, Ten Hag was in no doubt over Ronaldo halting his drought once he stepped up to the penalty spot.
How many goals will Cristiano Ronaldo score for Man Utd this season? Share your thoughts in the comments below
The Dutchman continued: “Ronaldo needed that goal. Many times he came close, but he wanted that so much. We are happy for him and the team wanted to bring him a goal. You know that Cristiano will score a penalty.”
Ronaldo will no doubt be keen to continue his goalscoring run but will have to wait for a while before he is back in action for the Red Devils once more.
United’s Premier League clash with Leeds United this weekend has been postponed due to policing issues, meaning that they won’t take to the pitch again until next month’s clash with cross-city rivals Manchester City.
The Portuguese will no doubt be aiming to notch his first league goal of the season in that game.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has never failed to score a league goal in a season throughout his entire career - his lowest total with Utd being four in the 2003/04 campaign - his debut season at Old Trafford since arriving from Sporting Clube de Portugal.
Ronaldo of course has less than a year to go on his contract with the Red Devils having penned a two-year deal last summer.
