Erik ten Hag insists that Cristiano Ronaldo still has a key role to play at Manchester United despite being dropped for the 2-1 win against Liverpool on Monday.
United recorded their first win of the Premier League season on Monday night thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, a win that sent them above Jurgen Klopp's side in the table.
Ten Hag took a massive risk with his selection for the game, dropping club captain Harry Maguire as well as the club's highest earner, Ronaldo.
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The gamble paid off with a much improved performance against one of the leading sides in European football, but Ten Hag insists Ronaldo still has a role to play for the rest of the season despite being snubbed from the start.
"The demand is for everyone, including the manager," he stated in his press conference when asked about Maguire and Ronaldo. "We have to deliver. You have an obligation to the club, to the fans. This is a massive club with a huge fanbase, and we have to deliver that. We have to act as a team, and every individual, every day, has to give their best. That is the demand for the manager and also for the team."
When asked specifically about Ronaldo's own role in the side, he added: "I think he can (adapt), and in his whole career and under several managers, he did. Several styles and systems. He always performed. Why can't he do this?"
When Ronaldo's age was pointed out by a reporter, Ten Hag responded: "And? His age is not an issue. If you are young, you are good enough, and when you are old, you still deliver the performance, you are also good enough."
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