Ronaldo in squad for Europa League

Manchester United managed Erik Ten Hag said that Cristiano Ronaldo would be in the squad for their Thursday’s match against Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol in the UEFA Europa League, a game his side need to win to stand any chance of topping their group. 

That would allow them to avoid a third-place side from the Champions League in February’s play-off round.

Ronaldo returned to first-team training with Manchester United for the first time on Tuesday since his refusal to come on as a substitute against Tottenham last week.

The Portuguese was left out of United’s squad for Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea and did individual training with fitness coaches on Friday.

“It’s not difficult (Ronaldo situation). We said everything, answered all the questions. He was out for one game and now back in,” said Ten Hag.

“We have an important game tomorrow, we want to top the group.”

Ten Hag also said that French World Cup-winning defender Raphael Varane will not play before the World Cup gets underway on November 20.

The 29-year-old former Real Madrid star left the pitch in tears with a leg injury during United’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea last Saturday.

“Varane isn’t in the squad,” said Ten Hag at a press conference on the eve of United’s Europa League match with Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol.

“He will be out until the World Cup. We have to see how he develops, how his rehab will develop.”