Cristiano Ronaldo marked his return with a goal as Manchester United kept their Europa League last-16 hopes alive with a routine 3-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol.

Portugal star Ronaldo returned to the starting line-up at Old Trafford after being dropped for the draw at Chelsea following his refusal to appear as a late substitute against Tottenham.

A pair of headers from Diego Dalot and Marcus Rashford put United in control before Ronaldo wrapped up the points nine minutes from time and secured a top-two finish in Group E.

Erik ten Hag's side must now beat leaders Real Sociedad by two goals next week to usurp the LaLiga outfit at the group summit and avoid a trickier clash in the play-off knockout round.

United dominated the first half with over three-quarters of the possession while registering 13 shots on goal without reply.

Antony and Tyrell Malacia drew smart saves out of Maksym Koval, who also demonstrated brilliant reflexes to deny Ronaldo a tap-in from Bruno Fernandes' knockdown.

The hosts were almost punished as Rasheed Ibrahim was whiskers away from connecting with Patrick Kpozo's deep cross but they finally broke through in the dying moments of the opening period as Dalot powered home Christian Eriksen's inviting corner.

Ronaldo went close to doubling the lead when he fired narrowly over in the 58th minute before his close-range volley was disallowed for offside.

United did establish breathing space seven minutes later as a patient build-up culminated in Rashford brilliantly heading home Luke Shaw's centre to end a five-match scoreless streak.

Ronaldo was not to be denied and put the icing on the cake with nine minutes remaining, firing home at the second attempt after Koval had parried his initial header from Fernandes' cross.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in the starting line-up by Erik ten Hag for Manchester United's Europa League clash with Sheriff at Old Trafford.

It is the first time Ronaldo has featured for United since he walked down the tunnel during his team's 2-0 win over Tottenham in the Premier League.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was dropped for Sunday's 1-1 draw at Chelsea after refusing to come on as a substitute and leaving the bench early against Spurs in the previous game.

United manager Ten Hag insisted the decision was to stick to principles and build a positive environment at the club, with the Portugal international only allowed to return to first-team training on Tuesday.

Ronaldo was back from the start for Thursday's game, looking to add to his two goals in all competitions this season.

Ten Hag also handed talented teenager Alejandro Garnacho his first United start in the Group E fixture, while Harry Maguire and Donny van de Beek returned to the bench after recovering from injuries.

The Dutch coach made four changes to the team that drew at Chelsea, with Tyrell Malacia, Victor Lindelof, Garnacho and Ronaldo coming in for Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.

Manchester United rejected suggestions to pursue the likes of Erling Haaland, Dusan Vlahovic and Christopher Nkunku, claims former interim manager Ralf Rangnick.

Rangnick endured a torrid six-month spell at Old Trafford last season, leading United to their lowest points tally in Premier League history (58) after succeeding Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

United's woes were exacerbated by a lack of attacking firepower during his final few months in charge, with Anthony Martial being loaned out to Sevilla and Mason Greenwood suspended by the club.

Rangnick has now revealed he suggested several big-name transfer targets to United's hierarchy – including now-Manchester City talisman Haaland, but was overruled. 

"One Sunday, they informed me of Greenwood's troubles, and Martial was already gone," Rangnick recalled when speaking to BILD.

"We needed strikers to play three competitions, I told the board that we should figure out whether to sign some players, but I was told no. 

"I had made realistic names, such as [Josko] Gvardiol and [Christopher] Nkunku of RB Leipzig. 

"Or even [Alvaro] Morata, Luis Diaz, [Dusan] Vlahovic and even Erling Haaland, when he was still on the market. The club decided to rebuild the squad with another coach."

While United have made a decent start to life under Rangnick's successor Erik ten Hag, they will likely be ruing their failure to land Haaland, who has scored 17 goals in 11 league games for City.

Meanwhile, Vlahovic has six goals in 10 Serie A outings for Juventus this season, and Leipzig's versatile attacker Nkunku is reportedly a target for Chelsea after recording 55 goal involvements in all competitions last campaign.

Napoli have dismissed the idea they could offer Cristiano Ronaldo refuge in January as the Serie A leaders insist they "don't have to fix anything".

Sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli indicated the prospect of any major incomings or outgoings was remote, given Napoli are confident they have a strong group with the right balance.

He added that to "fly with the fantasy" would not be Napoli's style this season, as they seek a first Scudetto since the 1989-90 season, when Diego Maradona was at the club.

Ronaldo could leave Manchester United in mid-season if a deal can be found that suits all parties.

His refusal to play as a substitute and early exit from the stadium last week against Tottenham led to United briefly banishing him from first-team duties, although the 37-year-old has since returned to the squad and looked set to play some part on Thursday against Sheriff in the Europa League.

However, Ronaldo's former team Sporting CP have ruled out a move, and now Napoli, having been linked with Ronaldo in the last transfer window, are distancing themselves from a possible deal for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Giuntoli told Mediaset: "We are very far from the market. At the moment we are thinking only of everyday life, trying to improve continuously."

Regarding Ronaldo, he said: "The January transfer market is one of repair and we don't have to fix anything, so I really think we won't do anything."

That stance covers how Napoli are thinking regarding their exciting, young Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, as well as striker Victor Osimhen.

Both have admirers in the Premier League, but Napoli are not minded to sell, at least for now.

Luciano Spalletti's team head Serie A with 29 points from 11 games, and they have also won five out of five Champions League group games, beating Rangers 3-0 on Wednesday.

Giuntoli said: "Kvaratskhelia is doing well, like many others, and is absolutely non-transferable."

According to Giuntoli, club president Aurelio De Laurentiis is firmly behind the football staff's plans for shaping the team to deliver success.

"The president is very happy with what we are doing, but like all of us he keeps his feet on the ground," Giuntoli said.

"Football is made up of balance, we must not fly with the fantasy. We are curious to discover our limits.

"Our prerogative has always been to move using our heads, both outgoing and incoming, and I think that, sometimes more, sometimes less, we have always managed to set up a competitive team. We do nothing without first having heard the coach."

Cristiano Ronaldo vowed to return to Manchester United with the "same commitment and dedication as always" as the forward looks to play his way back into favour at Old Trafford.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was dropped for Sunday's 1-1 draw at Chelsea after refusing to come on as a substitute and leaving the bench early in last Wednesday's win over Tottenham.

United manager Erik ten Hag insisted the decision was to stick to principles and build a positive environment at the club, with the Portugal international only allowed to return to first-team training on Tuesday.

Ronaldo is expected to feature in Thursday's Europa League clash at home to Sheriff and made a promise to the fans as he looks to work his way back into Ten Hag's reckoning.

"Back on track, with the same commitment and dedication as always!," the forward posted on Instagram on Wednesday.

United will seal a place in Europa League knockout stages against Sheriff if they win, draw or avoid defeat by more than one goal.

The Red Devils will be without the injured Raphael Varane, though, while Ten Hag will make late decisions on the fitness of Harry Maguire, Donny van de Beek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Erik ten Hag is backing Harry Maguire to play an important role for Manchester United after fellow defender Raphael Varane suffered an injury blow.

Maguire has only made two Premier League starts since Ten Hag took charge of United – both of which came in the humiliating back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford in August. 

However, Maguire could be set for a recall after Varane was ruled out until the World Cup next month, having suffered a leg injury in Saturday's dramatic 1-1 draw at Chelsea. 

Speaking ahead of Thursday's Europa League meeting with Sheriff, Ten Hag said Maguire had the ideal qualities to help the Red Devils.

"He always has an important role to play. He was injured and is happy he is back, and now he has to get back into games," Ten Hag said.

"I understand the interest, but we look at United. We have to get the right results.

"It's always about performance, about presentation. Regarding his qualities, there's no problem. He is a great player and has great capabilities to do a job for us."

Varane's injury has put him at risk of missing France's World Cup defence, with Didier Deschamps' Bleus set to begin their Group D campaign against Australia on November 22.

However, Ten Hag does not believe it is club coaches' responsibility to rest players during a packed pre-tournament schedule, adding: "I think it is the wrong idea. 

"They only have [a few] weeks and then the World Cup starts. You have to keep the right fitness, the right shape. 

"It is not optimum, but that is something the national managers have to deal with."

Manchester United have been charged by the Football Association (FA) for the second time in a little over a week for failing to control their players.

The latest incident is in relation to their protests over a Chelsea penalty during Saturday's 1-1 Premier League draw.

United were incensed by Stuart Attwell's decision to award a spot-kick for a Scott McTominay foul on Armando Broja, which was subsequently converted by Jorginho in the 87th minute.

While Casemiro rescued a point in injury time, the reaction of United's players when crowding the official has seen them hit with another charge from the FA for their actions.

It is United's second breach of FA rules this month, having been accused of failing to control their players after Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal disallowed in their goalless draw with Newcastle United on October 16.

An FA statement on Wednesday read: "Manchester United FC has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20.1 following its Premier League game against Chelsea FC on Saturday 22nd October in the Premier League.

"Manchester United FC allegedly failed to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 84th minute, and the club has until Friday 28th October to provide a response."

Manchester United must "show consistency" before they can discuss if they are catching up with their rivals, according to Christian Eriksen.

The Denmark international arrived during the close season at Old Trafford alongside new boss Erik ten Hag, with the Dutchman tasked in ensuring a turnaround in fortunes for United.

Following a rocky start to the campaign, the Premier League side have shown vast improvements since, albeit with some less-than-stellar results – such as a derby thrashing from Manchester City –along the way.

Ahead of Thursday's Europa League tie with Sheriff, which United enter unbeaten in six games, Eriksen played down suggestions there is more pressure upon United than his former clubs, adding he feels they are making strides forward.

"The pressure has been the same, the focus on the outside is bigger," he stated. "Publicity around the club is bigger but pressure around the football, I don't feel it.

"I think you can see the development in the games, how we go into them. You see it with the fans and with us. But we need to show our consistency before we can compare to other teams."

With the season set to be bisected by the Qatar 2022 World Cup, Eriksen could be eyeing a return to major tournament football a year and a half on from suffering cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.

But he says his focus remains on club matters for now, adding: "For every footballer it is the same. We are focused on the next game."

Cristiano Ronaldo is back in Manchester United's squad for Thursday's Europa League tie with Sheriff, but manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed Raphael Varane will not play again before the World Cup.

Portugal international Ronaldo was dropped by United for Saturday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea after refusing to come on as a substitute and heading for the tunnel early in last week's 2-0 win over Tottenham.

The 37-year-old was also briefly excluded from first-team involvement, but he returned to training on Tuesday and will now be considered for selection against Sheriff at Old Trafford.

However, United will be without centre-back Varane until after the World Cup break, though Ten Hag did not reveal whether the France international will be fit in time for his country's Qatar 2022 campaign.

"Cristiano will be in the squad tomorrow. Rapha Varane isn't. He will be out until the World Cup," Ten Hag said at Wednesday's pre-match news conference.

Varane left the field in tears after sustaining a leg injury in the dramatic draw with Chelsea, with the defender now in a race against time to be fit for the World Cup, which begins on November 22 for France with a game against Australia.

Further pressed on a timeline for Varane's return to action, Ten Hag told reporters: "We will have to see how he develops, how his rehab will develop."

United will book a place in the knockout stage of the Europa League against Sheriff if they win, draw or avoid defeat by more than one goal.

Ten Hag also confirmed he will make a late decision on whether to field Harry Maguire, Donny van de Beek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, all of whom returned to training this week.

Manchester United are "going in the right direction" under Erik ten Hag, but left-back Luke Shaw says the club know they "can do better".

Ten Hag arrived from Ajax at the close of a dismal 2021-22 campaign for United and was tasked with turning around their fortunes after another barren season.

Despite a rocky start, Ten Hag has since helped United rediscover their rhythms, having now strung together six games unbeaten in all competitions since derby defeat to Manchester City at the start of October.

Ahead of Thursday's Europa League encounter with Sheriff, Shaw reflected on the team's growth under their new boss, and feels there is still yet more to come.

"I think there has been a massive improvement," he told United's club website. "The start of the season was obviously nowhere near good enough, we all knew that, but I think, since then, we've taken a lot of big strides.

"We know we can do better – for example against Newcastle at home [earlier this month], we have to be winning those games and taking three points instead of one. But there has definitely been improvements."

Asked about Ten Hag's impact, Shaw said: "He speaks to the players individually quite a lot and I think, from the start of pre-season, I could see what sort of manager he was going to be and I was extremely impressed with the way he came across, not just in terms of how he speaks to you, but his ideas of how he wants his team to set up.

"His structure and the way he wants to play with the ball and without the ball – it was really impressive. Things obviously take time, but I think we're going in the right direction and I think it could be a really good next few months because I feel like we're taking the right steps."

Shaw has not been a guaranteed starter for United this term, battling Netherlands international Tyrell Malacia for his berth, but the England defender believes the contest between the two is bringing out the best in him.

"I really like Ty; I sit next to him in the changing room, and he's a really nice guy and an extremely good player," he added.

"He's still very young and we get on really well and, for both of us, it's nice to get on well with someone who is in your position."

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly preparing to rival Chelsea in the pursuit of RB Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku, with this expected to be the forward's last season in the Bundesliga.

Nkunku, 24, burst onto the world stage this past season when he raised his goal tally in all competitions to 35 in 52 games, after previously never having scored more than seven goals in a season.

This season he has shown it was no fluke, with eight goals from Leipzig's first 11 Bundesliga fixtures, while adding another two in the Champions League, including one in Tuesday's home win against Real Madrid.

His form warranted his senior international debut for France in March, and as he is preparing to play a role for the defending champions at the World Cup, his old club have reportedly decided they want him back.

TOP STORY – PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN LOOK TO RECLAIM LEIPZIG'S NKUNKU

Nkunku spent nine years with PSG after arriving as a 13-year-old in 2010, earning 55 Ligue 1 appearances before being sold to Leipzig for a fee of €13million in 2019.

According to Fichajes, they now view that move as a mistake, and will look to reclaim France's new star as soon as January.

The report states both Liverpool and Chelsea are prepared to activate his €60m release clause in January, with Chelsea already said to have completed a preliminary physical in the previous transfer window, having been engaged with Leipzig in the sale of Timo Werner and an enquiry about Josko Gvardiol.

It is not known if PSG will have the funds to complete the move in January, especially while in contract renegotiations with superstar Lionel Messi.

ROUND-UP

– According to 90min, Bayern Munich are considering a move for 32-year-old German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan from Manchester City at the end of the season.

– Sport reports that Barcelona are in talks with Wolves about securing 25-year-old midfielder Ruben Neves, with a deal believed to be possible in January. 

– The Los Angeles Times claims Cristiano Ronaldo could come to Major League Soccer to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy, Los Angeles FC or Inter Miami if he can not find a European club.

– Calciomercato is reporting Manchester United have joined Chelsea and Barcelona with their interest in 25-year-old Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez.

– Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to pay €30m for 16-year-old Brazilian Endrick, per UOL Esporte. Endrick is playing in the Brazilian league with Palmeiras, and will not be allowed to make the jump to Europe before turning 18.

Casemiro has highlighted the importance of Brazil remaining grounded after being labelled as one of the favourites to win the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.

Brazil last lifted football's most prestigious trophy 20 years ago, when Ronaldo Nazario scored eight goals as Luiz Filipe Scolari's team triumphed in Japan and South Korea. 

However, Tite's team have been tipped by many to end that drought this year, with the Selecao topping the FIFA World Rankings ahead of the tournament and seeing the likes of Neymar and Vinicius Junior start the club season in fine form.

Speaking to Manchester United's media channels, Casemiro said: "There are two sides to it. Of course, there's no hiding from the fact Brazil are favourites, but the favourites don't always win in football, the favourites aren't always champions.

"We know there are other national teams doing some great work, teams that are also favourites. Football, nowadays, speaks for itself. We know there are other teams playing very well.

"We know our responsibility, we know we have to respect the teams we come up against. 

"It's inevitable when we talk about Brazil, though we do this with our feet on the ground and a lot of respect for our opponents."

With 65 senior caps to his name, Casemiro appears a certainty to feature when Brazil open their Group G campaign against Serbia on November 24, and he could be joined by United team-mate Antony.

The winger has scored three goals in his first six Premier League appearances since joining Red Devils from Ajax, and now hopes to make an impact for Brazil on the grandest stage of all.

"My first call up to the Selecao was this year, so it's a wonderful experience for me," Antony said, being interviewed alongside Casemiro.

"I've always dreamed of putting on the Brazil shirt, today I can live that dream leading up to a World Cup.

"Putting on the national shirt, representing your country and your family is very important to me. I hope to be putting it on more and more and make history with the Brazilian national team."

Bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back to Sporting CP remains the club's "dream", according to head coach Ruben Amorim, though he acknowledges the striker's wage demands make such a move impossible. 

Ronaldo reportedly asked to leave Manchester United following their failure to secure Champions League qualification last season, and Sporting – the club at which he began his career – were touted as a potential destination.

After struggling for minutes following his failure to secure a transfer, Ronaldo reportedly refused to come on as a substitute during United's win over Tottenham last week, leading Erik ten Hag to temporarily banish him from first-team training.

That incident has led to renewed speculation about Ronaldo's future at Old Trafford, but financial concerns will prevent his former side from taking him back. 

"Ronaldo is a top player, a Manchester United player," Amorim said at a news conference ahead of Sporting's Champions League trip to Tottenham.

"I'm going to respond the same way, as a lot of journalists in Portugal ask me that question. He's a Manchester United player.

"At Sporting, everyone dreams of Cristiano's return, but we don't have the money to pay him his salary. I think he's happy in Manchester, but he doesn't play, that's the problem."

With Ronaldo returning to first-team training with United on Tuesday, Amorim was unwilling to pass judgement on Ten Hag's decision to sanction the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"I have my problems with Sporting players," he added. "It's a problem with Ten Hag, I'm happy with my players. I just want to beat Tottenham."

Cristiano Ronaldo returned to training with Manchester United on Tuesday after Erik ten Hag backed the forward to play his way back into favour.

Superstar Ronaldo was dropped from United's squad for the game against Chelsea on Saturday, and briefly exiled from first-team involvement, after refusing to play as a substitute against Tottenham last week.

Leaving the bench before the final whistle and heading for the dressing room, before reportedly also heading out of the stadium early, also went down badly.

Yet Ronaldo, against many expectations, may still have a future with United.

His former team-mate Gary Neville has spoken of what appears an uneasy alliance between player and club, saying on Sky Sports that United and Ronaldo should "end it this week or create a truce to get to the World Cup and then end it".

The latter option may prove to be what United have opted for, given January presents an opportunity for Ronaldo to find another club, and a strong World Cup for Portugal might help to facilitate that.

Ten Hag said ahead of the Chelsea game that Ronaldo could still be "important" to United, though he stressed the 37-year-old's behaviour in the Tottenham game was "not acceptable". He indicated he would speak to Ronaldo before reintegrating him.

With Ronaldo now invited back to first-team training, it could mean he plays some part on Thursday when Moldovan side Sheriff visit Old Trafford in the Europa League.

United will book a place in the knock-out stage if they win, draw or avoid defeat by more than one goal.

After hitting 24 goals last season, his first term of a second spell with United, former Real Madrid and Juventus forward Ronaldo has just two goals to his credit in this campaign, including a penalty in United's 2-0 win over Sheriff in Chisinau last month.

Only two of Ronaldo's six starts this season have come in the Premier League, where he has featured six times as a substitute. In the Europa League, however, Ronaldo has started all four of United's games to date.

As well as seeing Ronaldo play a part on Tuesday, manager Ten Hag was boosted by the return to first-team training of Harry Maguire, Donny van de Beek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, all back from injury.

Cristiano Ronaldo's "emotional reaction" in Manchester United's win over Tottenham should have been prevented by Erik ten Hag, according to Rio Ferdinand.

Portugal great Ronaldo reportedly refused to come on as a late substitute in the 2-0 win at Old Trafford and was omitted from the squad that drew 1-1 at Chelsea on Saturday, while he was not allowed to train with the first team.

It marked another twist in a long-running saga involving Ronaldo, who attempted to depart United for a second time in the close season after the club failed to secure Champions League qualification.

Having had a disrupted pre-season, Ronaldo has also found game time difficult to come by under Ten Hag, with only two of his six starts this campaign coming in the Premier League.

Ferdinand, a former team-mate of Ronaldo's at United, acknowledged the superstar forward was in the wrong for leaving early but believes Ten Hag should have handled the situation better.

"I'm not sitting here saying [Ronaldo] was right to do that. His actions are wrong but if you look at the bigger picture, this could have been prevented. As a manager, that's your duty – you've got to look at the bigger picture," Ferdinand said on his podcast FIVE.

"Before every game, Sir Alex Ferguson came to the table and explained to you what was going on. He'd go: ''Listen, you're not going to play the next two games but there's a third game up the road that's made for you and you're going to play'. 

"So, you don't get them emotional reactions next week when you're not playing. Just looking at the bigger picture down the line, so there's no surprises. When you get a bad surprise, the emotion takes over and you get these types of reactions."

Ferdinand feels Ten Hag could have resolved any bubbling tension before it got to the point it did against Tottenham last Wednesday.

"Erik ten Hag's reaction is the way that you'd want to see it as a fan. My pushback on that is that I don't think he should've allowed it to get to that point," he added.

"You have to have the conversation and talk to Ronaldo – who, all his career, has mapped out season after season. 

"Looking at the bigger picture, so he can prepare himself. At 37 years old, he probably needs that more now than ever in his career."

United are back in action against Sheriff in the Europa League on Thursday before hosting West Ham at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday.