Erik ten Hag has admitted he does not know how many minutes Cristiano Ronaldo will play against Rayo Vallecano.
Ronaldo was named in United’s starting line up to play Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. The fixture is United’s final match of pre-season but Ronaldo’s first appearance this summer, with the forward having been absent due to family reasons.
The 37-year-old expressed his desire to leave the club earlier this month and he wasn’t on United’s tour of Thailand and Australia. Ronaldo eventually returned to Carrington on Tuesday with agent Jorge Mendes as he held talks over his future.
Richard Arnold has opted for the no-tie look, matching Erik ten Hag’s attire. You can tell Arnold wasn’t on the United tour as he has an impressive tan. The kind you might get if you spent 12 weeks in Barcelona waiting for Frenkie de Jong to agree to an extradition package.
It is a very juvenile crowd, as you would expect for a friendly. The regulars are not visible in their usual seats.
Those who weren’t here for kick-off have already missed a chance. Tom Heaton saved well there after Ethan Laird was caught napping. Ten Hag has already moved into the technical area.
This has been a frantic start to the match. Vallecano nearly went ahead within 10 seconds but Heaton made a strong save. Garnacho has looked excitable. Although he’s still very raw, his potential is vast. He was talismanic in the FA Youth Cup last season.