Ronaldo 'tells Solskjaer that Man United MUST move the ball quicker'

Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly made it clear to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that Manchester United must play the ball quicker if they are to make the most of his attacking talent.

Ronaldo, 36, has hit the ground running on his return to Old Trafford this season, bagging five goals in five games including a dramatic winner against Villarreal on Wednesday night.

However, United have flattered to deceive this term, with Ronaldo unable to prevent defeats to Aston Villa and Young Boys, while the Red Devils were lacklustre against their Spanish opposition in midweek.

And ESPN reports that the Portuguese, who sets high standards of his team-mates, has told United boss Solskjaer that the team must play at a quicker tempo in the opposition half.

Ronaldo has thus far been deployed at centre forward, with Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood operating on the wings while Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes have also featured in attacking roles.

The same outlet reports that Solskjaer and his coaching team have placed huge emphasis on United's defenders playing the ball out from the back quickly, allowing the likes of Pogba, Fernandes and Greenwood to feed Ronaldo.

United's coaching staff believe that Raphael Varane's arrival has helped increase the team's speed of play, but Ronaldo has demanded more of his side as they bid to finally clinch silverware under the Norwegian.

Solskjaer is acutely aware of the importance of Ronaldo to his side after the Portuguese rescued three points for his side following a lackluster display against Villarreal.

‘When you have Cristiano on the pitch you always have a chance,’ beamed the United boss on Wednesday. ‘He is so good in front of goal and has an impact on everyone – the crowd, the players the whole club.

‘He’s done that so many times. When you saw him (for Portugal) against Ireland a month ago, he missed a penalty early and didn’t touch the ball more or less, but scored two great headers in the last few minutes.

‘That's what he’s done throughout his career. He stays in the game. I’ve seen him all day, the way he’s built up for this game and when he gets that one chance it’s a goal.

‘He had a couple of half chances but a true mark of a great finisher that he keeps calm when the chance arrives.’