Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes Cristiano Ronaldo can still emulate his goalscoring tally of last season.
Ronaldo plundered 24 goals in 38 games in his first season back with United after 12 years but only has three this term when he had six this time last year.
The 37-year-old was sharp on his goalscoring return against FC Sheriff on Thursday night but is without a goal as a Premier League starter since April.
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Ronaldo could retain his place against West Ham on Sunday as Jadon Sancho is out of form and Ten Hag selected Alejandro Garnacho over Anthony Elanga in the 3-0 victory against Sheriff.
"It's up to him, but I think when you collect all the chances he creates, the team creates for him in the last weeks, you see he's still capable to get in the right positions and he's still capable of finishing them," Ten Hag said. "I think it's possible, yeah.
"I know some see it [as a Premier League XI and a Europa League XI] but I don't have a Europe team and I don't have a Premier League team. I look at the opponent and what we need, what suits the opponent.
"Now I have to focus on West Ham United for Sunday. We will pick the team to start but also have a plan B or plan C in the pocket to win that game. That's what we need finally, to win games, and for that we not only need 11 players, we need the whole squad.
"Obviously on Sunday, there's a better quality, they defend better. They are physically better, technically better. They're going to be tough.
"We have to be really good on the ball, be really dynamic, especially to find gaps. We are aware of that. You have to be good because they are good on counters. From there, [tonight] was a good warm-up for Sunday, which will be much more difficult."
Marcus Rashford poached a stoppage-time winner against West Ham at Old Trafford last season and is United's top scorer this season with six goals.
Rashford has already tallied more goals than last season and his header against FC Sheriff was his first from a central role. With Jadon Sancho subdued, Rashford could start alongside Ronaldo against West Ham and the England international played in the No.10 role in the second-half on Thursday night.
"I think that (Rashford up front)'s worked well but I think tonight with Cristiano and Marcus in the back worked well," Ten Hag opined. "I was happy with that.
"To develop the team takes time. You can't go from zero to 100. You have to construct it from the outside, you need development before you go to the top, to the roof.
"Unfortunately, it takes time and I don't have time! I'm really the most impatient, but I have to, it's quite clear. Now, I think we're getting better defending with 11. Players are more and more aware of it, that we have to do it with 11.
"Also our build-up, I think we're improving game to game. Now, we need to do more to develop our attacking game but it's the most difficult part so it takes even more time. You can't increase the tempo of that process. I want it but we have to take the time for it."
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