EPL

'The king plays' – Ronaldo to make Man Utd return in Rayo Vallecano friendly

By Sports Desk July 29, 2022

Cristiano Ronaldo has appeared to confirm he will make his return to the Manchester United side for Sunday's friendly with Rayo Vallecano.

The Portugal international has yet to feature in pre-season amid widespread reports he is seeking a move away from Old Trafford, less than a year on from returning to the club.

Further doubts were raised over Ronaldo's future when he was not included as part of United's 21-man travelling party ahead of Saturday's meeting with Atletico Madrid in Oslo.

However, responding to a tweet from a fan page announcing he would not play in either of United's friendlies this weekend, Ronaldo replied: "Sunday, the king plays".

Should he feature against Rayo, it will be the first time Ronaldo has put on the United shirt since the 4-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion on May 7.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner sat out the final game of last season through injury and was not present for the Red Devils' four friendlies on their tour of Thailand and Australia.

Ronaldo was back at United's Carrington training base this week for talks, but widespread reports suggest he is still seeking a move to a team competing in the Champions League.

He scored 18 Premier League goals last season – only Mohamed Salah and Son Heung-min (both 23) netted more – but United still finished in sixth with their lowest ever points tally.

The 24 goals Ronaldo scored in all competitions in 2021-22 were 14 more than next-best Bruno Fernandes, with no other United player reaching double-figures in a dire season.

Ronaldo was particularly active on social media on Friday, having earlier responded to a post suggesting his agent Jorge Mendes had held talks with United's hierarchy.

"Impossible not to talk about me [for] one day," he wrote. "Otherwise the press makes no money.

"You know that if you don't lie, you can't get people's attention. Keep going that one day you [get] some news right."

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    While Nuno Espirito Santo remains uncertain how Ruben Amorim will set Manchester United up on Saturday, he expects Nottingham Forest to face a tough test at Old Trafford.

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    PLAYERS TO WATCH 

    Manchester United – Bruno Fernandes 

    Fernandes has been involved in 11 goals in his last 10 appearances at Old Trafford (four goals, seven assists), having a hand in six goals in his last four in the Premier League (two goals, four assists). 

    He's never scored or assisted in five in a row in the league at Old Trafford, while Marcus Rashford was the last United player to do so overall (seven in 2022-23).

    Nottingham Forest – Chris Wood 

    Wood has scored 12 goals in his last 14 away Premier League starts for Nottingham Forest, netting in three in a row before Wednesday's defeat at the Etihad. 

    He missed a glorious chance while Forest were a goal down last time out and will be determined to atone here.

    MATCH PREDICTION – MANCHESTER UNITED WIN

    Man United have won six of their seven Premier League home games against Forest, with the exception being a 2-1 loss in December 1994.

    They have also scored in all 14 of their Premier League games against Forest, their joint-best 100% scoring record against an opponent in the competition along with Swansea City.

    The Red Devils have won 3-0 against Leicester City and 4-0 against Everton in their last two Premier League home games. 

    They have not scored three or more goals in three consecutive home league games since February 2021, while they last did so while winning each time in December 2018.

    With United also beating Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League, Amorim has won both of his home games in charge of the side so far – only five managers have won their first three at home with the Red Devils, most recently Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2018-19.

    OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

    Manchester United – 55.9%

    Nottingham Forest – 21.4%

    Draw – 22.7%

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