Erik ten Hag ‘confident’ Cristiano Ronaldo will score more goals

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is ‘confident’ that Cristiano Ronaldo will continue to score goals this season following his strike in Thursday’s Europa League win over Sheriff.

Ronaldo was brought back into the fold for the visit of the Moldovan champions, having been dropped from the squad altogether against Chelsea as a ‘consequence’ of refusing to come off the bench against Tottenham earlier this month and leaving early.

The 37-year-old’s longer-term future beyond the end of this season remains up in the air. His contract will expire in the summer and, having also asked to leave this past summer, United are prepared to sell in January if a suitable offer comes in. Releasing him at that stage is not seen an ideal option.

But for as long as Ronaldo is still a United player, Ten Hag believes he will contribute and was pleased with what he saw against Sheriff.

“He created and the team creates for him. We know he has the capabilities to finish. He needed a goal to get over a dead point I would say and then more will come, I am confident of that,” the United boss told BT Sport.