No days off, Ronaldo: Man Utd boss Ten Hag lays down law to players before World Cup
Eric ten Haag has said he expects Cristiano Ronaldo to be available for Manchester United's last game before the World Cup and insisted that his international players will not get the weekend before the tournament in Qatar.
Ronaldo missed United's 4-2 League Cup win against Aston Villa on Thursday due to illness, but Ten Haag said he plans to add the striker to his squad for a trip to Fulham on Sunday.
- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
The 37-year-old will travel to Qatar with Portugal, who will begin their campaign on November 24 after joining the squad for their fifth World Cup against Ghana.
When asked about Ronaldo's availability at Craven's Cottage, Ten Haag said: "He was sick so he can recover." "It's not a serious illness that takes days or weeks to be on the team.
"The players are aware of the importance of the game against Fulham and I will not take that in regards to the World Cup. We play the best team and until Sunday it is in the interest of Manchester United and only him."
Like Ronaldo, Harry Maguire will also be a part of the tournament after joining the England squad on Thursday.
The defender was given a rare start against Villa on Thursday but has had tough chances to come to Old Trafford this season.
Cristiano Ronaldo missed Manchester United's League Cup win against Aston Villa on Thursday. Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images
His appearance in the third round of the League Cup was his third debut for United since August, but despite a lack of playing time, Ten Haag said Maguire could be at his best in the World Cup.
"It seems to me that he is ready, yes," Ten Haag, who would be without the suspended Diogo Dalot against Fulham, added.
"I see him in training every day, I watch his games. He's back from injury, he's ready to perform at the highest level."
Donny van de Beek is a United player who has not traveled to Qatar after the midfielder was dropped from the Netherlands squad. He has started the last three games but has struggled to impress.
This has prompted speculation that the 25-year-old could leave the club on loan in January, but Ten Haag dismissed suggestions that he would approve a temporary move.
"The loan doesn't make any sense," Ten Haag said. "Either he finds himself or he proves himself in this environment or he is [permanently] gone, but there is still a way for him to go for me, but it's not going to be easy - there's competition. is strong."