CRISTIANO RONALDO will return to the Manchester United squad to face Sheriff Tiraspol on Tuesday night after clear-the-air talks with Erik ten Hag.
And the Portuguese forward is expected to be thrown straight back into the starting XI following his club-enforced one-match ban.
Ronaldo, 37, was fined and suspended after refusing to come on against Tottenham, missing the 1-1 draw at Chelsea.
But manager Ten Hag confirmed his No7 has served his punishment and will be back at Old Trafford for the Europa League clash.
The Red Devils boss said: “It’s not difficult. But I think we said everything and we answered all the questions, he was out for one game and is back in the squad as usual.
“I don’t have to do it anymore. It’s done, he’s back, focus on the game, that’s important that Cristiano is involved.”
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Ronaldo will likely lead the line with David De Gea providing protection at the other end of the pitch.
Raphael Varane will not feature again until the World Cup so it will likely be a back four of Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Tyrell Malacia for the visit of the Moldovan champions.
United will be desperate to win and then see off Real Sociedad convincingly in the final group game to secure top spot and avoid a tricky preliminary play-off against one of the teams to drop down from the Champions League, such as Juventus.
Fit-again Harry Maguire could be involved after resuming to full training – while Luke Shaw and the returning Aaron Wan-Bissaka may feature.
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Ten Hag added on his captain: “Harry always has an important role, he was injured, happy in his own way back and now he has to get back into games.
“It’s always about performance, about presentation and I think regarding his qualities, no problem, great player and great capabilities to do a job for us.”
In midfield, Ten Hag has plenty of options but Fred and Scott McTominay are the likely starters against Sheriff with Bruno Fernandes ahead.
Eriksen, Casemiro and even Donny van de Beek, back from injury, could get minutes.
With Anthony Martial still shaking off a back problem, it may well be Marcus Rashford and Anthony Elanga in the wide areas supporting Ronaldo – with Antony and Jadon Sancho the other options.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
