Monday, May 16, 2022 at 12:22• Jordi Tomasowa

Erik ten Hag is looking forward to working with Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United. The brand new manager of the Red Devils late opposite The Telegraph know that there is an important role for the Portuguese star attacker at the club next season. “Of course I would like to keep him with him,” said Ten Hag.

Ten Hag announced on Sunday afternoon at the press conference after the Eredivisie duel with Vitesse (2-2) that he will not travel to Curaçao with the Ajax player group. A large part of the selection will fly to the Caribbean island on Tuesday for a five-day stay. However, Ten Hag chooses to focus on work at his new club Manchester United, where he has been officially employed since Monday 16. † “There are still a few things that need to be done in preparation for the season,” says the 52-year-old coach. “Among other things, with regard to the content of the staff and the composition of the selection. I will leave my mark and I have to do it very carefully.”

Ten Hag reveals opposite The Telegraph that there is an important role for Ronaldo in the upcoming renovation of United, who publicly discussed the upcoming arrival of Ten Hag at United for the first time on Friday. “I look forward to working with him. Ronaldo is a giant,” says Ten Hag. “Because of what he has already shown and I think he is still very ambitious. Of course I’d like to keep it with him. He has been very important for Manchester United this year and can provide great statistics.”

At Manchester United, Ten Hag will be faced with a tough job and Ten Hag is well aware of this. “That’s why we need to talk about where we all want to go. And how we are going to achieve that. There were opportunities to work at clubs where it is easier, because there is a better foundation. But I chose United because there is something to gain there. A lot of things have to be tackled and that is a challenge.”

Ronaldo also looked forward to the collaboration with the former Ajax coach on United’s club website. “I know he has done a fantastic job at Ajax,” Ronaldo began. “I also know that he is an experienced coach, but we have to give him time,” said United’s club top scorer, who has scored 24 goals in all competitions. Ronaldo is still on a contract for another year and will normally also play at Old Trafford next season. The superstar hopes that Ten Hag can turn the tide after United had another extremely disappointing season.

“Things have to change the way he wants,” Ronaldo said of Ten Hag. “If he does well, all of Manchester United will be successful, so I wish him the best. We are all happy and excited about his arrival, not only as players, but also as fans. We have to believe that we can win titles next year to win.” In any case, that won’t work this season.