Erik ten Hag expects Cristiano Ronaldo to return to form after scoring 700th club goal
By Sean Walsh
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes that Cristiano Ronaldo will now start scoring freely again after grabbing the 700th goal of his club career.
The iconic number seven came off the bench to score the winner in United's 2-1 win at Everton on Sunday evening - his first Premier League goal of the season.
Ronaldo has made just one league start under Ten Hag having missed much of pre-season and with either Marcus Rashford or Anthony Martial preferred up top, but the Dutchman expects the goals to 'flow' now.
"It’s really impressive when you score 700 goals," Ten Hag said post-match. “It’s a huge performance and I’m really happy for him.
"I’m also happy that it’s his first Premier League goal of the season. He had to wait for it.
"I’m sure that more goals will be coming. Every player needs that. Even when you’re the best in the world, you need the goals.
"I have worked with many goalscorers, and they need the goals every season for that confirmation of their intuition.
"Once they have goals, they come in a flow and the games go easier. That will happen with him as well."
Scott Saunders, Graeme Bailey and Toby Cudworth bring you a brand new episode of Talking Transfers. The team discuss Chelsea's interest in Declan Rice, Christopher Nkunku and Josko Gvardiol, while there are also updates on Cristiano Ronaldo, Donny van de Beek and more. Available on all audio platforms.
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90min understands that despite this public show of confidence, Ten Hag is open to Ronaldo leaving in the January transfer window.
Ten Hag is happy with Ronaldo's training level contrary to other reports, though is becoming increasingly frustrated at the attention the forward receives whether he plays or not.