Dutch football legend Marco van Basten has warned incoming Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag against dropping Cristiano Ronaldo. The 57-year-old former Ajax and Milan player opined that Portuguese superstar's efficiency in front of goal makes him a valuable member of the Red Devils and claims for the player to be cut loose must not be entertained by his compatriot.
Ronaldo has been an integral member of Manchester United following his surprise return to the club from Juventus last summer. Amid the club's struggles this season, the five-time Balon d'or winner ranks as their top goalscorer in all competitions with 22 goals in 35 outings. Over the weekend, the former Real Madrid and Juventus star was o target once more as they fell to a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Arsenal. Prior to that, he had managed a hat-trick against Norwich City in his last Premier League outing.
The arrival of Erik ten Hag as the new Manchester United boss is expected to usher the club into a new era. With a number of players set to be shown the exit door, former Netherlands international Marco van Basten has advised his compatriot to stick to with Ronaldo.
"If Ronaldo carries on playing like he did last week [against Norwich] and scores two or three goals in a match on a regular basis, there is no need to take him out of the team," Van Basten told The Rondo Show.
"Ronaldo is a player who does his own thing, but as long as he delivers, you have to give him a place in the team.
"Ten Hag will take into account that he cannot ask the same things physically from Cristiano Ronaldo that he will be asking of an 18-year-old.
"Of course Ronaldo will need to work hard – but I am sure he will work hard because I can see Ten Hag having an influence on him to get him to play how he wants," he added.
At the moment, Manchester United are on the verge of missing out on Champions League qualification for next season. It remains to be seen if the fate of the club will have an impact on Ronaldo's future.
