Cristiano Ronaldo has told Erik ten Hag that he's ready to help Manchester United 's youngsters lead the club back to success.
The 37-year-old, who arrived at Old Trafford as a scrawny teenager nearly two decades ago before going down as one of their greatest-ever players, is committed to helping new boss Ten Hag - renowned for trusting young players over four-and-a-half glittering years at Ajax - bring back the glory days and hopes the stars of the club's famous academy can be a driving force.
"I'm in favour that we should give opportunities to the young generation because they will be the future," Ronaldo told the Red Devils' website. "You have to give them time, the opportunity, and let them grow in a normal way without pressure. They understand, to achieve success you have to sacrifice, work hard, have work ethic, dedication. But, of course, if the kids ask me for advice I will give my opinion and advice because I want to help."
But who could those kids be? Mirror Football takes a look at five United starlets who could benefit from his champion mentor role.
Anthony Elanga
Already an established first-teamer, Elanga was one of the few Red Devils who emerged from the wretched 2021-22 season with his reputation enhanced. The Swedish forward became a regular feature of the starting XI over the winter, although only had two goals and two assists to show for his development by the end of the campaign.
Ronaldo's eye for goal and experience as a winger can certainly be points of reference for Elanga, already loving playing and training alongside the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who comforted him after missing the decisive penalty in United's FA Cup third-round defeat to Middlesbrough.
"It's really good [to have Ronaldo as a mentor] because I go to training quite early and see him there. If we have had a game the day before, we speak about the game or training," 20-year-old explained to manutd.com. "He's a really good person to have around the building, not just because of what he does on the pitch, but what he does off the pitch as well.
"If we [young players] need any help we can speak to him — so he's a really good person to be around. Everything starts on the training pitch. Looking at what the oldest players do and taking notes from them. Training with them day-in, day-out, helps me a lot. Not just from a technical side of the game, but the tactical side of the game, what they do when out of possession. When I'm in the game, I like to talk to the older lads to get advice, so it helps me a lot."
Alejandro Garnacho
Entering the first-team picture late in the term, Garnacho is one of the club's most exciting young stars in recent memory. Contributing to 10 goals in seven appearances to help the Red Devils win the FA Youth Cup in May, the Spanish-born Argentina international has supporters yearning to see more in 22-23.
Ten Hag will know all about his quality after requesting a video of the full final against Nottingham Forest last month, as Garnacho's penalty gave United the lead in the second half before he bagged another in added time.
The teenage winger, who won the prestigious Jimmy Murphy Player of the Year award this season, was even handed Ronaldo's match ball after hitting at hat-trick against Norwich City in April. Garnacho described the Portuguese as the "greatest of all-time" in an appreciative Instagram post - wonder what Lionel Messi reckons of that...
Hannibal Mejbri
Tipped for big things since his arriving as a 16-year-old from Monaco in 2019, Hannibal's campaign was most remembered for a rather aggressive cameo in United's 4-0 humiliation at old foes Liverpool. The rangy creator, capable of mazy runs thanks to his supreme technical ability, could prove provider for Ronaldo next term and would benefit from learning how to control his emotions.
Hannibal, already a 13-capped Tunisia international, started the Red Devils' 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace on the last day of the season and featured for his country on Thursday as they hammered Equatorial Guinea. The quality is certainly there, but it appears the versatile playmaker will have to focus on improving his temperament if he's going to make it on the big stage.
Alvaro Fernandez
Another late addition to the senior setup under interim manager Ralf Rangnick, Fernandez was crowned under-23 Player of the Year this season. The Spaniard, who arrived from Real Madrid in 2020, is a left-sided defender capable on playing multiple positions - strings to his bow which could come in handy as Ten Hag experiments during his early days in charge.
Fernandez trained regularly with the first-team towards the back end of the campaign and appeared in the matchday squad for first first time ahead of April's 1-1 draw with Chelsea, in which Ronaldo scored a vital equaliser.
Head of Academy Nick Cox has waxed lyrical about the Spain under-19 stalwart, declaring: "He has consistently risen to the various challenges that have been put in front of him and should be very proud of how he has adapted to English football.
"Alvaro has also been an excellent role model and support for his team-mates, displaying all of the characteristics that the Academy want to see from our young players. The opportunities that he has earned himself to travel with the first-team and experience that environment are extremely well deserved through his hard work and dedication."
Charlie McNeill
Join the debate! Which young stars should Ten Hag play at Man Utd? Give us your picks in the comments section.
Finally, a talent yet to get their first taste of the big time, McNeill was poached from bitter rivals City two years ago in a deal worth £750,000, and the striker has gone from strength to strength on the ride side of Manchester. McNeill scored more than 600 goals at youth level for the Sky Blues and went on to bag 24 in his first 21 games for the Red Devils last term, starring for the under-18s.
Netting on 17 occasions in 32 appearances across various age levels this time around, the local lad's ability to find the back of the net is something that Ronaldo can relate to and offer guidance to make NcNeill even better.
