Erik ten Hag has emphasised Cristiano Ronaldo's importance to the Manchester United cause as he looks to put the striker's latest outburst in the past.
Ronaldo was left out of the squad for last weekend's draw at Chelsea, after he refused to come on in United's win over Tottenham three days earlier – then stormed down the Old Trafford tunnel before full-time.
The 37-year-old was back in action on Thursday night, though, starting against FC Sheriff in the Europa League – and scoring United's third goal in a 3-0 home victory which confirmed their place in the knockout stage. And – despite recent talk that the club could try to offload their controversial icon in January – Ten Hag feels the five-time Ballon d'Or winner still has a big part to play.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Sunday's clash with West Ham at Old Trafford, Ten Hag wouldn't be drawn on whether Ronaldo had apologised to him and was only looking forward. The Dutchman said:
"I've said enough about [the incident] and given enough explanation...of course we are happy he's there, and he's an important squad player. He's our goalscorer, and [on Thursday] he scored a goal and I'm really happy with that – because I know goalscorers, they need it every time again ... they get confidence from [scoring] – and hopefully, he's building [confidence] and he can be even more important, and I'm sure he can do it."
Ronaldo has started all five of United's Europa League games but been used sparingly in the Premier League by Ten Hag. With the fixtures coming so thick and fast between now and the World Cup, though, might he have the opportunity to make himself the main man in attack again?
