Erik ten Hag has apologised to Moldovan fans over his Cristiano Ronaldo decision ahead of Manchester United ’s Europa League clash against Sheriff.
Scores of Moldovan fans flocked to Chisinău airport to greet Ronaldo and his United team-mates when they jetted into the Moldovan capital on Wednesday afternoon. The Portugal star was the main attraction for football fans in the East European country.
They are desperate to see him in action in Thursday’s group game, but Ten Hag was giving nothing away. Ten Hag refused to be drawn when asked if the supporters would see their hero start the game or come on from the bench.
He said apologetically: “I’m sorry, the Moldovan fans will have to wait until tomorrow.”
Fans desperate for a selfie or autograph with Ronaldo after the game are also likely to be disappointed and Ten Hag said United will not be hanging around because they have to fly straight back to Manchester.
“After the game we have to go straight to the airport and return to Manchester because the players have international duties and they have to be prepared for them,” said the United boss.
Ronaldo is expected to lead United’s attack against Sheriff because both Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are injured. Ten Hag admits the game is must-win for United after they suffered a shock home defeat to Real Sociedad in their opening group game last Thursday.
“It’s the same for every game, we have to win,” said the Dutchman. “It’s clear that when you lose the first game, you have to win the second game, so we know what our task is.”
The game is United’s last before the international break because Sunday’s clash with Leeds has been postponed, but Ten Hag would not be drawn if he would field a stronger team than the one which lost to Sociedad.
“We always play a strong team, so obviously tomorrow we will play a strong team,” he said. Ten Hag is respectful of Sheriff, who have won the last six Moldovan titles in a row.
He has noted their group wins over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu and Shakhtar Donetsk in last season’s Champions League and says they will be difficult opponents.
They also began their campaign with a 3-0 win over Neil Lennon’s Omonia Nicosia on Thursday and Ten Hag said: “They beat Real Madrid and they beat Shakhtar Donetsk last year, so they are capable of doing that.
“We have to make it our game, we are conscious of that fact. We have to be ready and prepared for this game. It’s a serious and decent opponent and we have to play at our best to win.”
