Ronaldo will play some part in tonight’s Carling Cup tie with Boro according to Alex Ferguson.
The United winger returned to Premiership action on Sunday with a second half appearance from the bench but will gain further match fitness tonight as the United boss goes for a mix of youth and experience. Hargreaves, Park, Nani and Anderson are also set to figure.
This morning United assistant boss, Mike Phelan, appeared to indicate that Ronaldo’s role will once again be one of sub.
“Cristiano is maybe a couple of weeks behind everybody else but his progression has been fantastic,” remarked Phelan.
“He has been introduced into games for 15 or 20 minutes at a time…he knows he still needs a few more minutes to get to the level he wants to be at. Tonight is a great opportunity to do that, which is why his name is in the squad.”
That would appear to suggest that Ronaldo could find himself on the bench again when Bolton visit Old Trafford at the weekend. United follow that game with a trip to Denmark to face AAlborg in the Champions League next Wednesday. With home points already dropped, it could be that Ferguson will spare his prize possession against Bolton with a view to starting him in that European game.