Cristiano Ronaldo believes he’s ready to play against Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday - after putting the squeeze on Erik ten Hag.
The want-away 37-year-old star is playing catch-up since returning to the club last week after being given permission to miss United’s pre-season tour to Asia and Australia due to family reasons. Sources at Carrington say Ronaldo has been “flying” in training - and he’s told Ten Hag he feels fit enough to play some role in today’s season opener against Graham Potter’s men.
With French attacker Anthony Martial injured after picking up a grade 1 hamstring strain against Atletico Madrid in Norway eight days ago, ten Hag is short on experienced striking options. Ronaldo, who played 45 minutes of United’s final pre-season friendly against La Liga side Ray Vallecano last Sunday has trained all week with the club’s conditioning staff.
