Cristiano Ronaldo: Erik ten Hag Reveals Why He Captained Striker During Aston Villa Clash

• Cristiano Ronaldo is slowly emerging as an influential member of the Man United squad under Erik ten Hag
• And this came to the fore during Man United's Premier League clash against Aston Villa when Ronaldo was named the captain
• Ronaldo was handed the armband due to the absence of Bruno Fernandes, who was suspended in the Sunday fixture
• However, the Portuguese struggled to make an impact as the Red Devils suffered a 3-1 loss in the fixture

Erik ten Hag has opened up about his decision to captain Cristiano Ronaldo during Man United's Premier League trip to Aston Villa.

Ronaldo is slowly becoming an influential figure in the Man United dressing room just days after h was banished from the first team for leaving the pitch before the full-time whistle.

The veteran striker had managed just three Premier League starts ahead of United's trip to Villa Park on Sunday, November 6.

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But with summer signing Antony and Jadon Sancho out injured, Ronaldo was handed a rare start against Villa.

Incredibly, the Portuguese was also handed the armband during the tie, replacing Bruno Fernandes, who did not feature in the tie.

Ten Hag explains Ronaldo captaincy decision

Ten Hag has now disclosed that he handed Ronaldo the responsibility of captaining the side because he is naturally a leader.

"He is an important part of our squad, we said that from the start of the season, and we keep saying that," the Dutchman said via Metro UK.

"We are happy with him, and now he has to take even more of the leader role because Harry [Maguire] is on the pitch, and Bruno is suspended," he added.

Unfortunately for Ronaldo, he was unable to make any significant impact as he watched his side suffer a 3-1 humiliating defeat at Villa Park.

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Ronaldo, Mings clash

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Cristiano Ronaldo endured a frustrating afternoon during Man United's Premier League trip to Aston Villa.

Apart from firing blanks, the veteran striker was also booked after he clashed with Aston Villa's Tyrone Mings.

The duo's clash sparked an ugly confrontation between both sets of players, with Villa stars swarming around Ronaldo.