Cristiano Ronaldo subbed off an half time Manchester United in Rayo Vallecano friendly

Cristiano Ronaldo leads the line for Manchester United against Rayo Vallecano after being picked to start in attack by Erik ten Hag, despite the ongoing uncertainty over his Old Trafford future.

It follows a week in which both sides dug in – with Ronaldo reiterating his desire to leave United in pursuit of Champions League football and the club once again insisting he wouldn’t be sold. 

The wantaway Portuguese star, 37, was included in the starting team to face the Spanish side alongside new signings Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez, Donny Van De Beek, and Argentina forward James Garnacho.

Ronaldo looked rusty during the game’s opening exchanges with the experienced forward blazing a shot into the stands after trying to find the top corner with a close-range strike.

Cristiano Ronaldo shoots a shot towards goal against United’s final pre-season opponents

Ten Hag in consultation with Ronaldo during a water break against Real Vallecano

United looked nervy during Erik ten Hag’s first outing at the Theatre of Dreams as the Spanish side threatened to go ahead early on before the hosts began to create chances of their own.

Ten Hag blasted some of his stars during one of the scheduled intervals with the boss making a beeline for Ronaldo who cut an unimpressed figure.

Ronaldo was cheered by supporters as he took to the Old Trafford pitch for the team’s warm-up in front of a sell-out crowd. 

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was met by thousands of waiting fans on his arrival and stopped to take pictures and sign shirts on his way into the stadium.

Ronaldo missed an early chance from close-range and deny United an early lead

The striker (back right row) started with new signings Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez

Ten Hag has rested players that started Saturday’s friendly loss against Atletico Madrid as he attempts to work out his best side ahead of next weekend’s Premier League clash against Brighton.

Sunday’s fixture is the last of United’s pre-season matches having successfully navigated their way though games in Thailand and Australia, that Ronaldo was absent from due to family reasons.

Ten Hag has been able to gauge his side’s readiness and instil his style of football ahead of the start of the new Premier League season, but is still missing top transfer target Frenkie de Jong as discussions with the player and Barcelona drag on.

The United number seven was cheered on by supporters as he emerged for the team warm-up

Ronaldo will have just one chance to impress new Reds boss Ten Hag ahead of the new season

Anthony Martial, who has impressed during pre-season after his United career was written off at the beginning of the year, suffered a hamstring injury against Atletico which could make him a doubt for the opener and possibly leaving Ronaldo as United’s only senior striker available for their opening Premier League match.

Ronaldo swept back into the club’s Carrington training ground accompanied by his agent Jorge Mendes earlier in the week.

He met with the new United boss for a debrief of their pre-season trip and with the club’s hierarchy over his future, in which neither side’s position budged.

The player’s issue is that one-by-one all potential suitors have ruled out taking on the burden of his £360,000-a-week wages, even if Ronaldo has suggested he will take a pay cut.

Ronaldo stopped to sign shirts and take pictures as he was met by thousands of United

Atletico Madrid were the latest to turn him down following a backlash from fans towards a player who remains a legend across the city at the Bernabeu.

On Wednesday, Ronaldo trained away from the main group as he looks to build up his sharpness and he watched the behind-closed-doors friendly against Wrexham.

Ronaldo announced his United return on Instagram saying: ‘Sunday, the king plays’

Ten Hag himself confirmed Ronaldo’s involvement after the Atletico game, saying: ‘We’ll see how long he can play’ which came following the striker confirmed he would play in a comment posted on Instagram.

It remains to be seen what part Ronaldo will play in United’s Premier League season opener at home to Brighton next Sunday.

What is for sure is that speculation over his future is set to dominate the opening weeks of United’s campaign as Ten Hag works to reboot a team that could only qualify for the Europa League last season.