Man Utd: Erik ten Hag provides Cristiano Ronaldo update and chance of youth stars featuring next season

Manchester United will finish their pre-season tour of Australia on Saturday when they take on Aston Villa in Perth.

The game, which kicks-off at 10:45am, will see the Red Devils try and win their fourth consecutive fixture on their tour of Thailand and Australia.

United have scored 11 goals in three pre-season matches, including four against rivals Liverpool, and just conceded twice.

Erik ten Hag named a 31-man squad for the tour, including summer signing Tyrell Malacia, but one key player missing from the list was Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese international has been linked with a move away from the club during the transfer window with reports he had asked to leave Old Trafford, however, these were shot down by Ten Hag.

Now the Red Devils boss has provided an update on Ronaldo’s future at the club and reiterated the forward remains part of his plans next season.

"No, it’s the same as last week,” Ten Hag told the media on Friday morning. “Of course, concerning is not the right word.

“I focus on the players that are here, they are doing really well and they are in great shape.

“We will integrate him [Ronaldo]."

Amongst Ten Hag’s in Perth are several academy graduates, including James Garner and Hannibal. The former spent last campaign on loan at Nottingham Forest and was a key player in their promotion-winning season, while the latter featured twice in the Premier League last campaign under Ralf Rangnick.

Garner is yet to feature for United in pre-season due to an injury but Ten Hag is looking forward to seeing what the midfielder has to offer.

"James Garner integrated into training this week, so I haven’t seen him,” Ten Hag said.

“I don’t have a full impression of him and I want to see more. I will then answer the question, and make conclusions and decisions.”

The Red Devils boss also discussed the potential of Hannibal and other younger players within his squad and implied fans might see a few of them in the Premier League next season.

“Hannibal Mejbri, he plays some minutes now and I think he did quite well, in training as well,” he said. “He makes quite a good impression.”

“I think they do well [youngsters]. I also know the standards in the Premier League are really high and it’s always about are they ready to take the responsibility to play, to contribute. That’s what I have to prove and I will take my decisions. It’s clear some of them have potential."