Erik ten Hag plans to sit down with Cristiano Ronaldo about his role at Manchester United something that Roy Keane urged the new manager to do.
The Dutchman has debunked the theory that he doesn't want the Portugal star to be a part of his rebuild next season when he takes over in the summer.
The incoming Old Trafford boss sees him as a 'key player' and reckons the club would be foolish not to keep him for another year given his prolific season, according to The Telegraph.
Ten Hag plans to hold talks with Ronaldo about his plans for the 37-year-old and will tell him that he shouldn't expect to play week in, week out given his age. He is not necessarily against building his starting XI around him, but would ideally like to manage his load to keep him healthy and performing at a high level when he does play.
Ronaldo hasn't taken too kindly to being left out of the side or on the bench this season, however. He notably lost his temper when he was substituted by Ralf Rangnick against Brentford while the Red Devils were 2-0 up with just 20 minutes left to play.
He snatched a jacket from a member of backroom staff before throwing it to the floor, while refusing to take a seat in the dugout and instead watched the remainder of the game while sitting on some steps.
Ronaldo's demeanor has changed towards the end of the season, but Roy Keane reckons Ten Hag needs to have a conversation with Ronaldo about "cutting out" the outbursts that saw him react angrily. The former United midfielder believes he needs to look at the bigger picture and realise he doesn't need to be playing every game at his age.
He told Sky Sports: “I think a top manager will come in and have that conversation with him and cut that rubbish out, like at Brentford when he is shaking his head 15 minutes after coming off. That is where Ronaldo has to be more mature and be a better leader.
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“Of course you are disappointed when you come off. But don’t keep it up for one or two days. That is where you have to sort that maturity out.
“Even Ronaldo has to look at the bigger picture. And when you do have that conversation as a top manager, make it plain to him that won’t be tolerated. If he is not buying into that then you do say, ‘No, you’re not going to be part of my plans’.
“If he is thinking he has to play every minute of every game, that is rubbish at his age anyway.”
These terms haven't deterred Ronaldo however as he plans to stay at United for another season. The report from The Telegraph says he doesn't want to leave Old Trafford off the back of such a dismal season.
