Cristiano Ronaldo will make his second debut for Manchester United when they host Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said, but he did not confirm if the Portuguese forward would start.
Ronaldo rejoined United from Juventus on a two-year deal and will be looking to add to his 118 goals at the Old Trafford club where he won eight major trophies in six seasons.
Solskjaer said Ronaldo’s return had lifted the mood at United and the 36-year-old, who had “trained all week”, brought with him a “winner’s mentality”.
“He’s been having a good pre-season with Juventus, played with the national team, had a good week with us. He’ll definitely be on the pitch at some point, that’s for sure,” Solskjaer said on Friday.
“We’ve got mutual respect for each other, but he knows I’ve got to make the decisions when to play (him), when not to play. It’s my job to
get the best out of him, that comes from communication. He doesn’t need me to tell him what to do.
“Everyone is going to look up to him and he is going to be a leader in this dressing room.”
Ronaldo will don the No.7 shirt again at United and Solskjaer said its former owner, Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani, had no qualms about handing it to the Portuguese forward.
“Edinson has been remarkable, played really well last season... To pass up his shirt shows the respect he’s got for Cristiano and respect the other way. Two top pros, players and human beings,” Solskjaer said.
Ronaldo had on Thursday said his return was not a “vacation” and hoped to prove himself again with consistent performances over the next three to four years.
“This is why I’m here,” Ronaldo said in an interview posted on United’s website. “I’m not here for a vacation... Before was good, winning important things and I wore the shirt (No. 7) many years ago.
“But I’m here to win again. I’m capable, me and teammates. It’s a good chance for me, for the supporters, for the club, to get one step ahead,” he said.