Cristiano Ronaldo won’t play every match: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solakjaer has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo won’t play every match as he wants to manage his workload. Ronaldo is 36 but he is still at the top of his fitness as he is fit as a fiddle. The talisman made a perfect second debut as he scored a brace against Newcastle United on Saturday at Old Trafford as the Red Devils won by 4-1.

Thus, Ronaldo had a magical homecoming as he once again showed how he can strive under pressure. However, for Ole, who has played with Ronaldo, it is imperative to manage the striker’s minutes on the field after the Portuguese started in the final XI of the team and played for all 90 minutes.

In fact, Ronaldo didn’t make a lot of sprints but he gave his best when he had to in his deep run into Newcastle’s defense.

Meanwhile, United is due to play Young Boys on Tuesday in the Champions League and Ole feels it will be difficult to bench Ronaldo.

“It’s not impossible to leave him out,” Solskjaer said. “He is 36. Mason [Greenwood] is 19 so it’s the same, I have to manage his minutes and I have to manage a 36-year-old’s minutes as well.

“The other thing with Cristiano is that he looks after himself so much so I know he will recover quickly. Of course, it’s important that we get everyone up and running and to get him up and running.”

On the other hand, Jesse Lingard scored for United against Newcastle in the stoppage time after coming in as a sub. The Manchester United manager was delighted for the youngster.

“Jesse has had his hard times and he is a lovely boy, or man now,” he added. “He was allowed to go out [on loan]. I could have kept him because I know how good a player he is but he showed everyone with West Ham and England what kind of player he is.

“He is a Man United fan. He has grown up with the Man United kit on himself since he was a baby so I am so pleased for him and he is a top top player and person.”