The return of Ronaldo! Wantaway’s Portuguese superstar came on at half-time after Man United’s modest comeback, while substitute Amad Diallo scored inside three minutes against Rayo Vallecano before being seen off before the first whistle.
- Cristiano Ronaldo starts in attack for Man United in their final pre-season game
- The Reds host Spanish club Rayo Vallecano in Manchester on Sunday afternoon
- Erik ten Hag will take to the dugout at Old Trafford for the first time as a manager
- The Portuguese star, 37, claims he wants to leave United in the coming weeks
- But United have dug in their heels, insisting Ronaldo is not for sale
By Adam Shergold and Ryan Walker for Mailonline
Published: 14:24, 31 July 2022 | Updated: 18:25, July 31, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo led the line for Manchester United against Rayo Vallecano after being chosen to start in attack by Erik ten Hag, despite continued uncertainty over his future at Old Trafford.
It follows a week in which both sides intervened, with Ronaldo reiterating his desire to leave United in search of Champions League football and the club once again insisting he would not be sold.
The 37-year-old Portuguese star was named in the starting line-up to face the Spanish side alongside new signings Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez, Donny Van De Beek and Argentina striker James Garnacho.
Ronaldo looked rusty during the opening exchanges of the game with the experienced forward sending a shot into the stands after trying to find the top corner with a close-range strike.
Cristiano Ronaldo fires a shot at goal against United’s final pre-season opponent
Ten Hag consulting with Ronaldo during a water break against Real Vallecano
But he was then replaced by Amad Diallo at half-time, and the youngster went on to score before Alvaro García equalized for the visitors.
Ronaldo then risked the wrath of the fans after he was snapped leaving Old Trafford before the final whistle.
United were nervous during Erik ten Hag’s first outing at the Theater of Dreams as the Spanish side threatened to go ahead before the hosts started to create chances of their own.
Ten Hag fired some of his stars during one of the scheduled intervals with a header straight at Ronaldo, who cut an unimpressed figure.
Ronaldo was cheered on by fans as he took to the Old Trafford pitch for the team’s warm-up in front of a sold-out crowd.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was greeted by thousands of waiting fans upon his arrival and stopped to take pictures and sign shirts as he entered the stadium.
Ronaldo missed an early chance from distance to deny United an early lead
The striker (back row right) started with new signings Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martínez
Ten Hag has rested the players who started Saturday’s friendly defeat to Atletico Madrid as he looks to train his best squad ahead of next weekend’s Premier League clash against Brighton.
Sunday’s game is the last of United’s pre-season games which have been followed up by games in Thailand and Australia, which Ronaldo was absent for family reasons.
Ten Hag have been able to assess their squad’s preparation and instill their style of football ahead of the start of the new Premier League season, but are still without top transfer target Frenkie de Jong as discussions with the player and Barcelona continue.
United’s number seven was cheered on by supporters as he came on for the team warm-up
Ronaldo will get just one chance to impress new Reds boss Ten Hag ahead of the new season
Anthony Martial, who has impressed in pre-season after his United career was cut short earlier this year, picked up a hamstring injury against Atletico which could make him a doubt for the opener and possibly leave Ronaldo as United’s only senior striker available for United. their opening game in the Premier League.
Ronaldo returned to the club’s Carrington training ground accompanied by his agent Jorge Mendes earlier in the week.
He met with the new United manager for a briefing on his pre-season trip and with the club’s hierarchy on his future, in which neither side’s position changed.
The problem for the player is that, one by one, all potential suitors have ruled out taking on the burden of his £360,000-a-week, even if Ronaldo has suggested he will take a pay cut.
Ronaldo stopped to sign shirts and take photos as he was greeted by thousands at United
Atlético Madrid were the latest to reject him following the backlash from fans towards a player who remains a legend across the city at the Bernabeu.
On Wednesday, Ronaldo trained away from the main group as he looked to increase his sharpness and watched the friendly behind closed doors against Wrexham.
The Ten Hag himself confirmed Ronaldo’s involvement after the Atletico game, saying: “We’ll see how long he can play,” which came after the striker confirmed he would play in a comment posted on Instagram.
It remains to be seen what role Ronaldo will play in United’s Premier League season opener at home to Brighton next Sunday.
What is certain is that speculation over his future will dominate the opening weeks of United’s campaign as Ten Hag works to reboot a team that could only qualify for the Europa League last season.
Ronaldo announced his return to United on Instagram saying: “Sunday the king plays”