Erik ten Hag has assured Cristiano Ronaldo that his time to start for Manchester United will come after benching him for the third match on the trot.
The 37-year-old superstar, who's been pining to leave Old Trafford all summer but to no avail, watched most of the Red Devils' comfortable 1-0 win against Leicester City on Thursday from the dugout alongside Ten Hag. But the Red Devils boss still has Ronaldo firmly in his plans, having given him a 26-minute cameo which helped United secure their third successive Premier League victory.
"It is really early in the season," Ten Hag explained when asked about naming the five-time Ballon d'Or winner on the bench once again. "We have a squad, more than a starting XI. We are raising a team, they are sticking together, they fight for each other, cooperate. Now we have to step up further."
While Ronaldo's situation is still a precarious one, given his desire to score as many goals as possible and not spend most of his time on the bench, the United manager has plenty to be pleased about. Now sitting on nine points after five games, his nightmare start to life at Old Trafford looks a world away.
However, the fact the Red Devils were unable to make it 2-0 at Leicester irked their boss. "We can be dangerous in the transition moments," Ten Hag explained. "Where were many spaces in the second half but did not explore them that well. We should have scored a second goal.
"We have to be more [ruthless]. There is room for improvement. I am happy with the clean sheet. The XI on the pitch defend and attack together. You can see what we can achieve."
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The Old Trafford gaffer will return to Manchester with a new player and his disposal, too, as United announced earlier on Thursday that their £84million deal to sign Antony from Ajax had been confirmed. Registered to make his debut against Arsenal this weekend, Ten Hag was quizzed on whether fans can expected to see the Brazilian winger, 22, strut his stuff.
"We will see for Sunday," the Dutch tactician coyly responded. "Of course I am really excited, a really good signing. He will bring temperament, creativity, fighting spirit and we need quality in numbers in the offensive department."
Ten Hag went on to add: "[Arsenal] is the real test for us, we are looking forward to it. We have to be good, we know that and it is a good test to see where we are."
