Friday, September 10, 2021 at 3:13 PM• Rian Rosendaal • Last update: 15:14

Cristiano Ronaldo makes his Manchester United debut on Saturday. Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealed at the press conference on Friday afternoon that the 36-year-old attacker will receive playing time in the home game against Newcastle United. It will be the first time since 2009 that Ronaldo will put on the shirt of Manchester United. At the time, he exchanged the English superpower for Real Madrid.

“Ronaldo has had a good preparation at Juventus and he has played matches with Portugal,” Solskjaer opens his weekly press talk. “He has also had a good week with us and against Newcastle United he will be on the pitch at some point, there is no doubt about that. Obviously everyone is happy with his return, it has the general feeling of a great boost given. We are of course very much looking forward to Saturday’s game,” said the enthusiastic coach.

Ronaldo breaks shirt sales record and leaves Messi far behind

The attacker is already breaking records at Manchester United without playing.Read article

Solskjaer is happy with the arrival of Ronaldo, just as the signing of Raphael Varane is very important for the selection of Manchester United in his eyes. “With such winners, you simply cannot hide as a player. It is impossible to play at 95 percent. We saw that with Ronaldo last week. We know what he has already achieved, but his hunger for success is growing. No less. He sets the bar very high, Ronaldo has lived his entire career as a true professional.”

Due to the overcrowded playing calendar, Solskjaer knows that Ronaldo will not appear at the kick-off in every Manchester United game. “He knows that as a manager I will have to make decisions about that. My job is to get the best out of him, I want to see the best version of Ronaldo. It all starts with good and clear communication. We have played together before. at this club and I don’t have to keep explaining to him what to do. His determination and desire is unabated and I have seen first hand the preparations and steps Ronaldo is taking to be the best.”

Solskjaer thinks the end of Ronaldo’s career is far from in sight, despite the attacker returning to Manchester United at the age of 36. “Ryan Giggs continued into his 40s and I wouldn’t be surprised to remain active as a professional footballer until that age,” said Solskjaer, who has seen Ronaldo grow over the years. “He has definitely developed. As you get older, you have to adjust the way of playing a bit. He will no longer step over the ball 18, 19, 20 times before he makes a passing movement. Ronaldo has developed into a of the most precise finishers.”