Erik ten Hag explains why he has started Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench against Brighton

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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has explained why he has started Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Despite Anthony Martial missing the clash against the Seagulls due to injury, the former Ajax manager has opted to start the 37-year-old on the bench.

The scrutiny and speculation surrounding Ronaldo’s future has been constant throughout the summer since news broke from the Portuguese’s camp that he wanted to join a Champions League club.

Instead of starting with our number seven, Ten Hag’s first starting XI in the Premier League looks to be pointing towards us playing with a false number nine.

Erik ten Hag explains why he has started Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench against Brighton

Speaking to BBC Sport, Ten Hag said: “Ronaldo is working really hard to get in the right fitness levels, it will take time.

“He started pre-season last week. It depends on how quick he is progressing.”

Ronaldo only played 45 minutes of action during pre-season and that came in last Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano.

Manchester United legend Roy Keane was speaking on Sky Sports about Ten Hag’s decision to start the five-time Ballon d’Or winner on the bench, the Irishman wasn’t surprised, but he wants his former United teammate to stay at the club.

Keane said: “It was a straightforward call for the manager to make [starting Ronaldo on bench.”

“You can’t let Ronaldo go out the door and think Martial is going to be the answer, Martial isn’t the answer. He had a decent pre-season? Big deal.”

Ronaldo was United’s top scorer last season with 24 goals across all competitions, 18 of which came in the Premier League – only Mohamed Salah and Heung-Min Son scored more than the legendary Portuguese national captain.