Jaap Stam discusses Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire’s future at Manchester United after Erik ten Hag snubs

09/07/2022 12:03 PM

Jaap Stam has backed Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire to ‘step up’ and force their way back into Erik ten Hag’s immediate plans at Manchester United.

Ronaldo has only started one of United’s six Premier League matches so far this season after spending much of the summer pushing for a move away from Old Trafford.

With super-agent Jorge Mendes failing to secure his client a move, Ronaldo will remain at United until at least January but it remains to be seen what role the Portugal legend is given.

Ten Hag has opted for the pace of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial over the experience of Ronaldo so far this season, but Stam says the five-time Ballon d’Or winner still has a crucial role to play at the club.

‘Cristiano is a fantastic player and I don’t know if he will become a problem,’ Stam told Metro.co.uk on behalf of Bet365. ‘He’s still a quality player, a great goalscorer.

‘He came in after pre-season not being fit enough and the manager’s making decisions, using players who are fit and ready to start.

‘Also, in terms of how he wants to play and the intensity of player, but Ronaldo is a player who wants to play every game.

‘I don’t think he’s the type of player who has his quality and has achieved what he has on the pitch to be happy sitting on the bench, so he’s going to show himself and push the others to perform.

‘Having someone like him around is great for the squad and the manager. I was at the game against Arsenal and from the side-lines it looks like Ronaldo is having a positive influence on the players on the bench, before the game, during it, more or less now he’s settled with his role and how the team are doing.

‘I can’t believe he’s agreeing with the role he has now and is happy with it. A player of his stature and how he is as a man, he’ll be knocking on the managers door. He’s a great professional so eventually he’ll get his goals for the team.’

Stam, who won three Premier League titles and the Champions League at Manchester United, has also given Maguire hope of reviving his Red Devils career.

Maguire started United’s first two defeats of the season and has seen Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane impress in his absence since coming out of the side.

Stam added: ‘Harry had his opportunities in the beginning of the season, but the manager made a big decision early on to take him out of the playing squad so now he needs to find his place within the squad again and get his confidence back.

‘I’d assume he’s lacking quite a bit of that at the moment. Harry needs to take full advantage of the minutes he gets and when he needs to step in due to an injury, suspension or formation change, he needs to show himself and what he can do for the team again.

‘Harry is a player who can step up and I’m confident he can step up. It’s difficult for him now though as the back four are doing well, they’re defending well and there’s unity within the back line and the players in front.

‘So, it’s not going to be easy for him, but for a manager that’s what you want: quality players fighting for positions.

‘If you don’t have players fighting for spots or willing to fight for spots, it’s not going to be the right environment for a winning team.

‘Players at top clubs need to be kept on their toes and must show their quality at training sessions and on matchdays.’

Manchester United’s four successive Premier League wins has seen the club climb to fifth in the table. The Red Devils face Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday and Crystal Palace this weekend.

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