MANCHESTER United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has assured the club’s fans that their returning hero Cristiano Ronaldo will make his second debut on Saturday.
The 36-year-old re-signed for the club from Juventus in August for around €15m, 12 years after he left Old Trafford for Real Madrid for a then world record £80m.
Ronaldo joined his new teammates on Tuesday for his first training session, and is poised for Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Newcastle United, saying he did not return to Manchester for a vacation.
Solskjaer held his pre-match press conference on Friday and when asked if Ronaldo will start on Saturday, the manager replied: “He’s been having a good pre-season with Juventus, he’s played for the national team. He’s had a good week with us here and he’ll definitely be on the pitch at some point, that’s for sure.”
In his first interview since his return, Ronaldo had joked that he would pressure Solskjaer to start him, but the manager insists he (Solskjaer) calls the shots.
“He [Ronaldo] knows I’ve got to make the decisions when to play, when not to play, it’s my job to manage him and get the best out of him, I wanna see the best out of Cristiano and that comes from communication,” the Norwegian said.
“Cristiano has been good. We know what he’s achieved in his career, but he’s come here to achieve more.
“You can’t go into training, give 95% and not be focused as that’s what he demands from everyone else.”
There was some more good news from Solskjaer on Friday, as he revealed that there were no injuries for the players who represented their countries in World Cup qualifiers and friendlies.
Jadon Sancho, who withdrew from the England squad with an injury, has been training with his United team-mates since heading back to Manchester and will hope to be fit to be in contention for a place against the Magpies.
“You always cross your fingers that they come back fit,” Solskjaer explained.
“They’ve all come back with a good mood, they’ve had some good results, there’s been some goals and those who have been here have worked hard, prepared well and of course, it’s an exciting game for everyone.
“Jadon has come back in and trained the last couple of days. He’s disappointed he couldn’t play for England but determined to be fit and he’s available. That’s a positive.”
Midfielder Fred could be ruled out this weekend, and in the Champions League opener with Young Boys on Tuesday, after Brazil invoked a five-day rule regarding several Premier League players who did not participate in their recent games after call-ups.
The suspensions are being contested and Ole said: “We need to prepare for the game without Fred but, fingers crossed, some sense might come into people’s mind and we can use him.”
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