Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is unsure of Cristiano Ronaldo’s availability against Fulham after the forward was struck down by illness this week.
United travel to Craven Cottage in the Premier League on Sunday for their final game before the season halts for the World Cup in Qatar, with questions lingering as to whether players will avoid being involved across the final weekend in order to avoid picking up an injury.
Ten Hag insists that is not the case for United and, though Ronaldo has been under the weather in recent days, it is “possible” he could be involved.
“I think the players are all aware of the importance of the game. We have Fulham, and I will not take the World Cup into regard. We play the best team on Sunday – it’s the only interest for Manchester United,” Ten Hag told reporters.
“I can’t guarantee that now [Ronaldo being available], but he was ill today, so he can recover from that, it’s not a really serious illness that takes days or weeks. So I think it’s possible that he will be available for Sunday and that he will be in the squad.”
Ten Hag was also asked how he would assess the current position of United and outlined his content, though he remains focused on this weekend’s game with Fulham.
“I hoped that we would be where we are now, but again, it’s better to ask me the question after Sunday. Sunday is going to be a really important game,” he added.
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“If you look into the progress of the process, then you can analyse and you can make a reflection. I think we have progressed.
“Pressing play out from the back, also attacking the final third, that is part of the game we have to improve, but then you have to have numbers available. When we have so many games, you need rotation. Otherwise, you don’t keep the players fresh.
“We need the players who are available at the highest level. So we need new players or to use the players that we have already got.”
One of those within the squad who has had limited involvement is Donny van de Beek, but Ten Hag feels there is still a role for the midfielder to play, with a temporary departure not appealing to him.
“I don’t think that a loan makes sense. It’s either he fights himself, and he proves himself in this atmosphere in this environment, or he goes, but for me, there’s still a way for him,” he explained.
“There’s still chances for him, but it is not going to be easy because the competition there is really strong.”