OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER admits he might have to rest Cristiano Ronaldo to get the best out of the veteran superstar.
The 36-year-old scored twice on his second Manchester United debut in Saturday’s 4-1 rout of Newcastle.
Solskjaer said: “Cristiano looks after himself so much so I know he will recover quickly.
“He has had a pre-season and, of course, it’s important that we get everyone up and running and to get him up and running and to give him 90 minutes.”
Just like Mason Greenwood at the other end of the spectrum at 19, the United boss has warned that Ronaldo may not be able to play every game.
Solskjaer said: “It’s not impossible to leave him out. He is 36, Mason is 19, so it’s the same.
“I have to manage his minutes, and I have to manage a 36-year-old’s minutes as well.
“Of course there is a game on Tuesday. We will see what we do.”
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The player himself and the fans will demand he is in the starting 11 every game — starting with that match tomorrow away to RSC Young Boys in the Champions League.
Ronaldo’s return has raised the expectation levels on this United team to land a Prem title for the first time since 2013.
And Solskjaer said: “Handling the pressure is one of the things that you have to do as a Manchester United player, expectations and pressure, you’ve got to relish it and embrace it and enjoy it — and Cristiano does.”
The combined £115.7million signing of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane has also raised the bar.
Solskjaer added: “I think seeing Raphael and Cristiano coming it’s raised everyone’s eyebrows because they are winners, they have won everything there is to win and put demands on themselves.
“The young boys, the rest of the team, they look at them and think that is how you stay at the top.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
