Defender Raphael Varane has revealed why he believes Cristiano Ronaldo has not been a regular this season under new Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.
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The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has started just twice in this campaign so far for the Red Devils, with his five other appearances all coming from the bench.
Ronaldo was named in Ten Hag's starting line-up for the team's 4-0 loss to Brentford in the Premier League last month and their 1-0 UEFA Europa League defeat to Real Sociedad last week, but has been a substitute in United's past four league games.
This comes after an uncertain transfer window in which it appeared the 37-year-old would leave the 20-time English champions and after he missed the majority of pre-season due to personal reasons accepted by the club.
Varane, who starred alongside Ronaldo at Real Madrid, believes the Portugal captain missing United's preparations for the season is the reason for his current status in the squad.
"As we said, Ronaldo is here. And, as we all know, he didn't have a pre-season. You cannot miss pre-season. It's a base," the Frenchman told TCL Global.
"Especially with the game we play, the way we want to play. We don't play in the same way we did last year, there is no comparison.
"This demands co-operation and it demands certain positioning in – and out – of possession.
"The other thing is his fitness."
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Ronaldo scored 24 goals last season following his stunning return to United, but is yet to find the back of the net in the 2022/23 campaign.
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