Erik ten Hag's ambitions for Ronaldo at United are becoming evident.

When it comes to Cristiano Ronaldo's future with the club, Erik ten Hag was able to put off making a decision because of the manner in which United lost the match, which is one of the few things that can be said to be considered a positive consequence of United's performance in what was yet another disappointing Manchester derby.

Ten Hag stated that he had ignored the notion of Ronaldo coming off the bench 'out of respect for his enormous career,' implying that the 37-year-old player didn't deserve to be pulled into the melee with United trailing City fans who were in an euphoric mood. The game ended with United behind 4-0.

Anthony Martial replaced Marcus Rashford in the starting lineup for Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium. Rashford was the player who had replaced Cristiano Ronaldo in the starting lineup after Ronaldo's return to fitness. United made a total of five substitutions at the Etihad Stadium.

It was an understandable justification that was presented with conviction, but nobody seriously believes that Ronaldo would have been brought into the action instead of Anthony Martial if the game had been close at the time that Martial entered it.

When it comes to Ronaldo, Ten Hag has said all the right things, but actions speak louder than words, and it's hard to get away from the idea that he's considered very much to be the third-choice striker at the club under his management. Ten Hag has said all the right things. But actions speak louder than words.

The expression on the face of the Portuguese forward as he sat ignored on the bench on Sunday gave away a lot of information, and Ronaldo himself must be starting to sense that he does not have a real future with the club under Ten Hag's leadership. It has been since the 4-0 loss to Brentford that he has started a game in the Premier League, and considering that Anthony Martial needs game time to get back to full strength after recovering from his own injury, it is possible that the Frenchman will get the nod in Nicosia on Thursday night.

Martial was outstanding in his role as United's No. 9 during the preseason, and he was one of the few bright spots for United on Sunday. He scored two goals late in the game during a lively 31-minute cameo for United, during which he also won the penalty that he converted in a stylish manner. It had been exactly one year since he had scored for United, but it appears that Ten Hag may be looking to him as his primary option at center forward right now. Those goals were his first in that span.

Rashford has continued to produce impressive performances in his absence, scoring goals in victories over Liverpool and Arsenal. The movement and pace that Rashford and Martial bring to a front line is something that Ronaldo does not currently bring to the table.

Ten Hag has given public excuses for keeping Ronaldo out of the action at the moment, citing a lack of fitness after a limited preseason as well as this derby humiliation. There are now just 12 games left before the break for the World Cup, and there is no time for Ronaldo to get back in shape.

There are seven games in the Premier League, and it's possible that Ronaldo won't start any of them there. It is anticipated that he will play a more significant role in the remaining four Europa League matches as well as the Carabao Cup match against Aston Villa.

That was not the stage he expected to grace, but if there is a silver lining to the lack of significant action, it is that he will arrive in relatively good shape in Qatar for his fifth and almost certainly last World Cup. Ronaldo will be hoping for a deep run in the competition, but he may also be aware that the competition is serving as a shop window for him.

If, by the middle of November, he is still United's third choice for the position, then it is almost certain that he will leave the club in January. The fact that the World Cup and the winter transfer window are so close together may prove to be an advantage in this regard. If he scores a number of goals or has a string of strong performances, he will become a more appealing option.

If Ronaldo has a strong showing at the World Cup, there is a chance that a club from the Champions League will contact him in January. However, this is not likely to happen. Because of his position at United, he may have the drive and the enthusiasm necessary to accomplish that goal in Qatar.