Ronaldo has to get fitter and be more selfless, warns Ten Hag

CRISTIANO RONALDO needs to get fitter and become more selfless if he wants to play a major part in Erik ten Hag’s new Manchester United.

United’s no-nonsense Dutch manager is pleased Ronaldo remains at the club after the transfer window but is clear the fivetime Ballon d’Or winner has to adapt to the changing philosophy at Old Trafford rather than the other way round.

Ronaldo, 37, has started only once under Ten Hag — the 4-0 defeat at Brentford — after missing the club’s tour to Australia for personal reasons amid speculation he wanted to leave.

He is likely to be on the bench again against Arsenal today as United have won three on the trot with a high-tempo attack of Marcus

Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes. The £85million deadline-day signing Antony is also in contention.

‘I will be his friend, sometimes I will be his teacher. It depends on the situation,’ said Ten Hag about his carrot-and-stick approach to Ronaldo (pictured).

‘As we all know, he didn’t have the pre-season and you can not miss the pre-season. Especially the game we play, the style is not the type in comparison with last year. ‘It depends, demands, co-operation and demands certain positioning, in and out of possession. And the other thing is, yeah, the fitness.’

Ten Hag has impressed in his short tenure at United. His manner, both on the training pitch and to the outside world, is clipped and to the point. He also shares with Sir Alex Ferguson the ability to make big decisions. Axing Ronaldo, captain Harry Maguire, Luke

Shaw and Fred after the Brentford shambles was a risk, but has paid off so far.

Venturing into the Dutch market has also been controversial particularly as the sums for Antony, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia add up to a mouth-watering £156m.

Ten Hag added: ‘Firstly he players who we signed are internationals for their countries,’ he said. ‘Secondly, they (Antony and Martinez) have performed really well in the Champions League. And third, also, they have individual attributes. They are capable of playing high-intensity football, the players we selected and recruited.’