by Cristiano Ronaldo is back in the first team at Manchester United after having a clear conversation with Erik ten Hag.
The expectation within United is that the 37-year-old will also be fined. The club insists that there has been no showdown with the manager and that the pair have had constant dialogue over the past few days.
Ronaldo took part in training on Tuesday and is now in contention to play against Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League at Old Trafford on Thursday night. Ronaldo is likely to play, not least because United are short on attacking numbers with Anthony Martial missing his last four games due to a back problem.
More significant will be if he manages to keep his spot for Sunday’s Premier League game at home against West Ham United.
The striker was banned from the squad, missed the weekend’s away match against Chelsea and was forced to train with the Under-21s after refusing to enter as a substitute in last week’s win against Tottenham Hotspur.
Ronaldo walked down the tunnel before the match was over and quickly left the stadium and was disciplined by Ten Hag for his unacceptable behavior.
The coach insisted that he always intended to reinstate Ronaldo, but only once did the Portuguese international realize that what he had done was wrong and showed contrition.
Ten Hag described the player’s conduct as “unacceptable” but added that he remained an “important player in the squad”.
It will be interesting to see what happens, though, when the January transfer window opens with Ronaldo trying to force a move over the summer. It is understood that Ten Hag will not hinder this if an acceptable offer is received.
Ronaldo released a statement after the Spurs game and, although he did not receive an apology, he acknowledged that he did not set an example for the rest of the team.
Ronaldo was photographed arriving at United’s Carrington training ground on Tuesday morning with the team having had two days off after the Chelsea game. It was Ten Hag’s first opportunity to talk to him face to face.
Good news for Ten Hag with England center back Harry Maguire’s comeback in form, the timely return after center-back Raphael Varane left Stamford Bridge pitch in tears over the weekend after suffering an injury while stretching for the ball. The injury cast doubt on the French international’s place in the World Cup.
