Ten Hag 'can't wait to work' with Ronaldo at Man Utd – 'he's not for sale'

Erik ten Hag has insisted he is 'looking forward to working' with Cristiano Ronaldo at Man Utd as the striker is 'not for sale'.

The Dutchman is the sixth manager to hold the hot seat at Man Utd after Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Ten Hag relishes the prospect of helping United fight for major trophies again with his guidance.

Manchester United try to 'swap a deal' as man shows up for work elsewhere

"Manchester United are a big name," the Dutchman told PA News Agency. “It's a real challenge to put them in their place. I am very motivated to achieve this.

"We want to win every game and no matter who the opponent is.

"I think it's part of the status of Manchester United and that's what we're going to do. It will be the request of the team and of each player."

United have not won any silverware since 2017 and Ten Hag takes over at a time of palpable fan anger against the owners.

Furused by debt, dividends and perceived mismanagement, thousands of supporters demonstrated against the Glazer family in the final home games of last season.

When asked if he had sought assurances from the owners and spoken to the Glazer family, United boss Ten Hag replied: "Yes, I have spoken with them.

"They told me they wanted to succeed and that was the only thing they wanted. That's what they expect from me, to bring success."

Ten Hag sees frustrated star Ronaldo as an important part of this quest for glory.

The 37-year-old made a shock return to Old Trafford last summer, but an impressive campaign on an individual level couldn't prevent the Red Devils from dropping to sixth place.

The lack of Champions League football this season has not gone down well with Ronaldo, who it recently emerged has asked to be allowed to leave if an acceptable offer comes along.

A family issue meant he missed United's pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, but Ten Hag again stressed that Ronaldo is in his sights for the coming season.

"It's clear he's not for sale," he said after training in Melbourne. "I planned to (have him) with him and look forward to working with him.

"But for the rest I can't say more because the situation is still the same as last week."

It will be interesting to see how Ronaldo fits into Ten Hag's pressure style, as well as the team's ability to adapt to this approach after caretaker boss Ralf Rangnick struggled to implement it last season.

"I can't talk about what's in the past," said the meticulous and demanding Dutchman.

"I only know that I have my ideas, how I structure a team and I do it in all areas of football.

"For me, pressing is an important factor. If you want to have initiative in a game, I think it is necessary.

"If you do this in a high block or a low block, it's a tactic that can be both ways.

"I prefer to do it high, high pressing, but that won't always be the case.

"There are also situations, games where you are lower. But what I demand from my team is that they press."

Ten Hag 'can't wait to work' with Ronaldo at Man Utd – 'he's not for sale'

Erik ten Hag has insisted he is 'looking forward to working' with Cristiano Ronaldo at Man Utd as the striker is 'not for sale'.

The Dutchman is the sixth manager to hold the hot seat at Man Utd after Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Ten Hag relishes the prospect of helping United fight for major trophies again with his guidance.

Manchester United try to 'swap a deal' as man shows up for work elsewhere

"Manchester United are a big name," the Dutchman told PA News Agency. “It's a real challenge to put them in their place. I am very motivated to achieve this.

"We want to win every game and no matter who the opponent is.

"I think it's part of the status of Manchester United and that's what we're going to do. It will be the request of the team and of each player."

United have not won any silverware since 2017 and Ten Hag takes over at a time of palpable fan anger against the owners.

Furused by debt, dividends and perceived mismanagement, thousands of supporters demonstrated against the Glazer family in the final home games of last season.

When asked if he had sought assurances from the owners and spoken to the Glazer family, United boss Ten Hag replied: "Yes, I have spoken with them.

"They told me they wanted to succeed and that was the only thing they wanted. That's what they expect from me, to bring success."

Ten Hag sees frustrated star Ronaldo as an important part of this quest for glory.

The 37-year-old made a shock return to Old Trafford last summer, but an impressive campaign on an individual level couldn't prevent the Red Devils from dropping to sixth place.

The lack of Champions League football this season has not gone down well with Ronaldo, who it recently emerged has asked to be allowed to leave if an acceptable offer comes along.

A family issue meant he missed United's pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, but Ten Hag again stressed that Ronaldo is in his sights for the coming season.

"It's clear he's not for sale," he said after training in Melbourne. "I planned to (have him) with him and look forward to working with him.

"But for the rest I can't say more because the situation is still the same as last week."

It will be interesting to see how Ronaldo fits into Ten Hag's pressure style, as well as the team's ability to adapt to this approach after caretaker boss Ralf Rangnick struggled to implement it last season.

"I can't talk about what's in the past," said the meticulous and demanding Dutchman.

"I only know that I have my ideas, how I structure a team and I do it in all areas of football.

"For me, pressing is an important factor. If you want to have initiative in a game, I think it is necessary.

"If you do this in a high block or a low block, it's a tactic that can be both ways.

"I prefer to do it high, high pressing, but that won't always be the case.

"There are also situations, games where you are lower. But what I demand from my team is that they press."

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