Ronaldo may feature in United friendly

Published July 31, 2014
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, right, smiles as he talks with teammates on the bench in the first half of a Guinness International Champions Cup in Dallas. Photo by AP
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, right, smiles as he talks with teammates on the bench in the first half of a Guinness International Champions Cup in Dallas. Photo by AP

MADRID: Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo is recovering well from his knee injury and may return to action in Saturday's friendly against his former club Manchester United in Michigan, according to coach Carlo Ancelotti.

The Portugal captain and World Player of the Year has been hampered by a left knee problem in recent months and was clearly below his best at the World Cup in Brazil, where the Portuguese failed to progress beyond the group stage.

“He (Ronaldo) did two sessions today and he is working well on his own,” Ancelotti said at a news conference on Tuesday after Real were beaten 1-0 by AS Roma in a friendly at the International Champions Cup in Dallas.

“Let's see if in the next few days he can train with the team and can play against Manchester,” added the Italian.

“We have to be careful, right now we have to be calm.”

Ancelotti will be hoping Ronaldo regains full fitness in time for the European champions' first competitive fixture of the 2014-15 season, the European Super Cup against La Liga rivals and Europa League winners Sevilla in Cardiff on Aug. 12.

Real have strengthened their squad with the purchase of Colombia playmaker James Rodriguez and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos and Ancelotti said there might be more movement before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

Media reports in Spain have said Real are looking to sign Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas from Levante.

“We have to think about the players who are at Real Madrid at the moment,” Ancelotti said when asked about the transfer market.

“The market ends on Aug. 31 and a lot of things could happen but we have to focus on those (players) that we have.”

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
Updated 19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...