ERIK TEN HAG says Cristiano Ronaldo can top his 24-goal tally from last term at Manchester United.
The Portuguese superstar’s problem is not taking enough of his chances.
Ron’s strike against Sheriff Tiraspol in Thursday’s 3-0 win was just his third of the season in 13 appearances — with two more gilt-edged chances missed.
It has been a familiar story in this campaign for the Old Trafford legend, who is not taking the opportunities he used to score in his sleep.
So what are the chances he can better his goal haul from last season?
United boss Ten Hag said: “It’s up to him, but I think when you collect all the chances he creates and the team creates for him in the last weeks, you see he’s still capable of getting in the right positions.
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“And he’s still capable of finishing them. I think it’s possible, yeah.”
It is doubtful whether 37-year-old Ronaldo gets enough game-time to do it.
He was back in the team for Thursday’s Europa League clash but it is likely he will return to the bench on Sunday for the visit of West Ham in the Premier League.
While Ten Hag denies he has a Red Devils team for one competition or the other, it is clear his full-strength side is reserved for the Premier League.
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That does not include Ronaldo who is now more of an option off the bench if Ten Hag has to change to “plan B or C”.
He said: “I know some see it like this but I don’t have a Europe team and I don’t have a Premier League team.
“I look at the opponent and what we need, what suits the opponent. Now I have to focus on West Ham for Sunday.
“We will pick the team to start but also have a plan B or plan C in the pocket to win that game.
“That’s what we need finally, to win games, and for that we not only need 11 players, we need the whole squad.”
Ronaldo must now accept he is just a squad member.
Last week, he could not and refused to come on as a late substitute against Tottenham at Old Trafford.
That led to Ten Hag banishing him to train on his own and axing the five-time Champions League winner from the squad for the trip to Chelsea.
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A successful clear-the-air meeting meant he returned on Thursday but it remains to be seen how he will react if the same situation arises.
Ten Hag reverted to more of a 4-4-2 when he brought Marcus Rashford on at the break to play just behind Ronaldo up front, with both netting.
He said: “With Cristiano and Marcus, it worked well. I was happy with that.”
United are racking up a huge number of shots at the moment, with Thursday seeing another 24 — with ten on target.
Their 28 against Spurs was the most in a game by any Prem team this season.
It shows they are on the right track under Ten Hag, yet their 16 goals from 11 games in the Premier League is the lowest – level with Chelsea – in the top eight.
Still, for Ten Hag there is progress and he insists more goals will come.
He said: “To develop the team takes time. You can’t go from zero to 100.
“You must construct it from the outside, you need development before you go to the top, to the roof.
“Unfortunately it takes time and I don’t have time, I’m really the most impatient, but I have to, it’s quite clear.
“Now, we’re getting better defending with 11. Players are more and more aware of it. Also our build-up, I think we’re improving game to game.
“Now, we need to do more to develop our attacking game but it’s the most difficult part, so it takes even more time.
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“You can’t increase the tempo of that process. I want it but we have to take the time for it.”
MAN UTD (likely): De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Antony, Fernandes, Sancho, Rashford.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
