Former Manchester United coach Marco van Basten has advised Erik ten Hag to keep Cristiano Ronaldo as a key figure at the club.

The Ajax coach has already been announced to be the next captain at Old Trafford, and long lists of departures have been presented in the press including Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Edinson Cavani, Juan Mata and Lee Grant, at the end of their contract. Nemanja Matic has already announced his departure.

With United on course not to secure a place in the Champions League next season – they are sixth, six points from fourth – Ronaldo’s future in the squad is beginning to come into question, and rumors that the national team captain will not be part of the Dutchman’s plans.

But Van Basten believes in a happy partnership. “If Ronaldo continues to play as he did, for example, against Norwich [hat-trick] He scores regularly, there is no need to banish him from the team. He’s a singles player, but as long as he keeps showing results, it has to happen. Tim Hag will know he won’t be able to ask like an 18-year-old does. Of course Ronaldo will have to work hard, but I think Ten Hag has enough influence on him to make him play as he pleases. I have one piece of advice for Eric: Don’t look at what the press says when you’re getting started. You will have to focus a lot on your work, on training, in the team. If you do that, you can change everything at United.” Rondo show.