ERIK TEN HAG is ready to build its team around the legend of Cristiano Ronaldo.
And he will keep Harry Maguire as captain to regain his confidence as well.
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Cristiano Ronaldo has made it clear he wants to leave Old Trafford this summer Credit: Getty
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Ronaldo is in the plans of Man Utd coach Erik ten Hag for the new season, and the Dutchman wants to build around the PortugueseCredit: EPA
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Ronaldo posted a photo of him training with his family and friends. Credit: Instagram / @cristiano
New head Ten Hag has no idea when Ronaldo, 37, will return after missing the start of United’s tour for “family reasons”.
He is currently training alone in Portugal as his future is speculated and on Monday he posted a photo alongside Cristiano Jr. and former Sports Academy teammates Jose Semedo and Miguel Paixao.
He subtitled the image: “Work done.”
When asked if the superstar can adapt to his pressure system, Ten Hag said, “Cristiano is capable of doing that. In his career he has proven everything.
“I have marked my demand. We want to play in a certain way. A top tier player can contribute and Ronaldo is the best player in our squad.
“Players dictate how they play. Especially players who score goals because they are very important to a team. You build your team around them. “
When asked by Ten Hag about activating Ronaldo’s extension, he added: “I am well informed that you also have an option.
“Yes [he could stay beyond next season]. Of course, I’ve been signed here for three years, but in football it’s also short-term. “
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Ronaldo has been linked with a return to Spain with Atletico Madrid, but United have not yet received a firm offer from him.
He leaves the Portuguese veteran with the prospect of starting the new season with United, but Ten Hag has no doubt he will be ready.
He said: “We all know that Ronaldo is a great professional and that he will be in shape. That is the last concern I have.”
When asked if he would join the rest of the team at Carrington on his return, Ten Hag said, “I can’t tell you. Not yet.”
Meanwhile, Ten Hag has leaned under the Maguire fire to shine after holding the bracelet.
He said, “He can help. I will support him wherever he can. In the end he has to do it himself and he has the qualities to do it.
“He has shown it in the past, but he must also prove it in the present and in the future. The captain is very important and I am happy with him.
“He’s played 60 times in England. Harry is really impressive and I expect a lot from him.
“But there is also internal competition and that is what a club like Man United needs. You can’t win with 11 players. We need staff, especially this season with so many games.
“We have the Europa League, the Premier League and the World Cup, so we need a full squad with high quality players, not quantity.”
Ten Hag continues to chase Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
He said: “We are looking for a player who can play in the midfield position, but it has to be the right one. There are not many in this position capable of the level we demand. We will strike when the player is available.
“I would like to sign English players. There is only one criterion and that is the quality in combination with the price. It seems that the English players are quite expensive.”