Manchester United stars feel ‘pressured’ by Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence on the pitch and want him to stay on the bench this campaign as they believe they are better off with Marcus Rashford up front.
Ronaldo has only started two matches this campaign and is yet to open his account for the 2022-23 campaign.
The Portuguese star and his representatives spent much of the summer trying to force a move away from United, but found good offers hard to come by.
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Due to his desire to leave United and ‘family issues’, Ronaldo was absent for a major part of the club’s pre-season schedule and was not deemed match fit for United’s opening-day defeat to Brighton.
But Ronaldo has had to make do with a bit-part role since regaining his fitness, starting just one of United’s six Premier League games to date and their Europa League defeat to Real Sociedad on Thursday.
Ronaldo is desperate to be given a more important role in the team but his team-mates believe he should remain on the bench, according to The Sun.
It is claimed that the players view Rashford as a better option in Erik ten Hag’s system, with the England star scoring a brace in United’s 3-1 victory over Premier League leaders Arsenal last weekend.
Ten Hag is also a huge fan of Rashford and believes the Old Trafford academy graduate can deliver at least 20 goals this campaign and help United challenge Manchester City for the title.
A source told The Sun: ‘The manager wants Marcus to be United’s No. 1 striker and lead the line up front.
‘He believes Marcus has the ability to become one of the world’s best and wants him to express himself in matches.
‘He is always telling him to use his pace and skills when he gets a chance. He told Marcus he will easily score 20 this season. They have a great relationship and Marcus is really happy.’
They added: ‘As long as Ronaldo starts on the bench, the players have the confidence to express themselves.
‘With Ronaldo on the pitch, the team feel pressured. All the players loved it when Ronaldo came back but they’re frustrated he missed pre-season.
‘Ronaldo’s not up to speed and relies on instinct – but that doesn’t work in Ten Hag’s system.’
Former United defender Jaap Stam concedes Ronaldo will not be satisfied with his reduced role at the club but has backed the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to contribute this season.
‘Cristiano is a fantastic player and I don’t know if he will become a problem,’ Stam told Metro.co.uk on behalf of Bet365. ‘He’s still a quality player, a great goalscorer.
‘He came in after pre-season not being fit enough and the manager’s making decisions, using players who are fit and ready to start.
‘Also, in terms of how he wants to play and the intensity of player, but Ronaldo is a player who wants to play every game.
‘I don’t think he’s the type of player who has his quality and has achieved what he has on the pitch to be happy sitting on the bench, so he’s going to show himself and push the others to perform.
‘Having someone like him around is great for the squad and the manager. I was at the game against Arsenal and from the side-lines it looks like Ronaldo is having a positive influence on the players on the bench, before the game, during it, more or less now he’s settled with his role and how the team are doing.
‘I can’t believe he’s agreeing with the role he has now and is happy with it. A player of his stature and how he is as a man, he’ll be knocking on the managers door. He’s a great professional so eventually he’ll get his goals for the team.’
