Sheriff Tiraspol boss Stjepan Tomas is expecting to face Cristiano Ronaldo when his side travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Thursday night.
After walking down the tunnel and leaving Old Trafford early during United’s 2-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur at the Theatre of Dreams on Wednesday night, the 37-year-old was disciplined by Ten Hag.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was dropped from the matchday squad for Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and hasn’t yet returned to first team training.
Ronaldo’s re-introduction to the first team fold will likely depend on how talks between United’s number seven and Ten Hag go.
But Sheriff boss Tomas believes that the former Ajax manager will reintegrate Portugal’s captain back into his side ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash.
Sheriff Tiraspol boss expecting to face Cristiano Ronaldo
The former Juventus man’s first goal of the season came via the penalty spot in United’s 2-0 win against the Moldovan outfit last month.
Speaking via the club’s website, Tomas said: “I think that Ronaldo will play, and he will train with the team tomorrow. We have to prepare ourselves for the game.”
After being given an extra day off following Saturday’s draw in west London, Manchester United’s players are expected to return to Carrington to train today, so it will be interesting to see whether Ronaldo forms part of the group.
Sheriff, who sit top of the Moldovan top-flight, lost their first domestic game at the weekend and Tomas felt his sure were distracted at the prospect of facing the Red Devils at Old Trafford.
Tomas added: “I think it’s a bad atmosphere right now before the game against Manchester United. I will talk to the players about it.
“It seems they were already thinking about the match in Manchester, there was no concentration. That’s my fault.”
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