Manchester United issued Cristiano Ronaldo advice over Tottenham tactics

Manchester United have been urged to retain Cristiano Ronaldo in their starting XI against Tottenham to counter the tactical approach favoured by opposition manager Antonio Conte.

Ronaldo, 37, came off the bench to score a winner against Everton and was included from the start during the 0-0 draw with Newcastle that followed. However, the former Real Madrid and Juventus superstar was sacrificed in the final stages as United sought after three points.

Ultimately, though, Erik ten Hag and his players had to settle for a share of the spoils at Old Trafford as they return to the same venue on Wednesday night. Ronaldo was flanked by Antony and Jadon Sancho against Newcastle, but United have been nudged towards one change for their midweek fixture with the high-flying Londoners.

While making his latest Sportskeeda predictions, former England playmaker turned Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson said: "I think Cristiano Ronaldo will play in this game. I only say that because Tottenham will play everybody behind the ball and Manchester United will need to put balls into the box.

"Ronaldo is the best header of a ball in the world. I'd leave Jadon Sancho out this week and play Ronaldo, [Marcus] Rashford and Antony up front."

Merson added: "If United don't win this game, they take a draw and a defeat on their trip away to Chelsea. They're facing two of the top-four in their next two Premier League games and it's a massive week for them.

"Liverpool could go bang-bang-bang for the nine points and United could find themselves behind Liverpool by the end of the week. Manchester United have the hardest set of games out of everybody.

"It's a must-win game for Manchester United. I don't think that is the case for Tottenham."