Erik ten Hag makes Cristiano Ronaldo decision after holding crunch talks

Cristiano Ronaldo trained with the Manchester United first team for the first time since his refusal to come on as late substitute in last week’s victory over Tottenham.

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The 37-year-old was banished by Erik ten Hag for his act of defiance and was forced to sit out Saturday’s heavyweight Premier League clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

United battled to a 1-1 draw and coped admirably without last season’s top goalscorer, but the 37-year-od is likely to make his return on Thursday against Sheriff in the Europa League.

According to The Athletic, Ronaldo will be included in the match day squad as United look to book a place on the knockout phase and put pressure on Group E leaders Real Sociedad.

Ten Hag and Ronaldo held talks at the club’s Carrington training base with the United manager keen for a swift and amicable resolution to a situation that largely overshadowed a positive display against Chelsea.

In the immediate aftermath of the game in west London, Ten Hag admitted his side still ‘needed’ Ronaldo with United, for all their progress, lacking an adequate replacement capable of shouldering the goalscoring burden.

Ten Hag said: ‘Yes (we need him), always he can score a goal. He is valuable for us and we need him that’s clear. I think you see it also in this game that he can finish off that’s quite obvious.’

Pressed on whether he could fix his relationship with Ronaldo, Ten Hag added: ‘I think I have said enough about that situation.

‘Let’s focus on this game, it was a good game for my team and I have to really compliment my team.

‘If you can deliver this after four games in 10 days you then dictate this first half, second half we were really well organised playing football and you fight back that has to be the focus.’

He added: ‘I have to make a big compliment to my team. To fight back with a fourth game in 10 days, you see the spirit and how they deal with setbacks. Really good.

‘First half Rashford had two big chances, Antony one against one. You have to score goals in such moments because in top games three chances is massive. You have to score.’

Ronaldo, meanwhile, was joined in Tuesday’s training session by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire and Donny van de Beek, with the trio all back from injury.

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