Cristiano Ronaldo starts for Manchester United in behind-closed-doors friendly vs Halifax
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Manchester United thrash Halifax in behind-closed-doors friendly with Raphael Varane and Donny van de Beek featuring
- Manchester united beat Halifax 5-1 in a friendly on Monday afternoon
- The game was for first team players who saw little action on Sunday
- United kicked off their season with a defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford
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Members of Manchester’s first team squad got some minutes under their belt in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the club’s Carrington complex on Monday afternoon.
The game was designed to aid the fitness of players who saw little or no action in Sunday’s defeat to Brighton.
The likes of Raphael Varane and Donny van de Beek were involved following their substitute appearances on Sunday.
Cristiano Ronaldo started against Halifax in a behind closed doors friendly on Monday
However, Ronaldo was given more match minutes on Monday as the Red Devils took on non-league Halifax in a behind-closed-door friendly.
The game with the National League outfit took place at United’s Carrington training HQ.
Ronaldo started with the Red Devils winning the game 5-1.
And he wasn’t the only first team player to take part, the likes of Eric Bailly, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Anthony Elanga and Alejandro Garnacho also playing.
When asked by Sky Sports’ if Ronaldo had the desired impact against Brighton, manager Erik Ten Hag said: ‘I think so. It was clear to see that the second half, we were better in midfield with Eriksen down and Ronaldo up.
‘Then we created and Rashford had two really good chances. It’s a pity we didn’t score them for 2-2.
‘It [Ronaldo’s fitness] takes time, you cannot force it. He has had one week of training so is a little bit more and he has to do more to get fit. This game will help him with 35/40 minutes. Now we have one week and he will be better next week.’
