The manager of Manchester United, Ralf Rangnick, has reaffirmed his desire for Cristiano Ronaldo to assume a leadership role in the club.

As Ralf Rangnick's side aim to finish the season on a high note, the Portugal international scored a beautiful hat-trick in a 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

Ronaldo's future at Old Trafford is still up in the air, though, with reports claiming that his second stay at the club might be cut short because a reconstruction under the new manager, who will join in the summer, does not appeal to the Portuguese.

Despite the fact that he led by example on the field against Tottenham, Rangnick believes he has the ability to take on a more authoritative role off the field as well, according to the interim boss.

United manager David Rangnick has often requested Ronaldo to put his influence in the locker room to good use by coaching the club's youthful core. Ronaldo has repeatedly refused.

Cristiano Ronaldo's winning goal

He stated, "I'm not going to lie, I'm a little bit nervous." "Cristiano Ronaldo is a key player in the team's development. He has an impact on the team, without a doubt, because of his reputation and the way he can still play.

In addition to those players who must accept responsibility and perform well, there are others on the team who can serve as team leaders.

With a performance like today's [against Tottenham], he [Ronaldo] can be a leader. Since I've been here, I've been telling him that he has the potential to be one of the team's engines if he continues to put in strong performances like this."

Among others who can step up and become leaders are other players such as Harry Maguire, which implies to Rangnick that the German does not believe he is currently fulfilling his captaincy responsibilities.

"We have quite a few other players who are capable of doing the same thing, including Fred, Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelöf, and anybody else," he continued. "

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in the Champions League match against Tottenham.

According to various reports, there is discord in the Manchester United dressing room, with suggestions that Ronaldo is planning to remove Maguire's armband as a result of the skipper's poor form this season.

According to the New York Times, numerous members of the Red Devils' camp believe Maguire should be benched for the season.

These issues with Maguire have been simmering since October, following a tense team meeting at Carrington following a 4-2 loss to Leicester.

According to the report, players threw insults at each other, with one individual questioning the club's decision to name Maguire captain just six months after he arrived from the King Power Stadium.

According to the Daily Mail, Maguire has also reportedly 'upset' a number of his teammates this season by calling them out for individual mistakes on the field as well as his critical post-match comments to the media.

Given the uncertainty surrounding Maguire's long-term future at the club, United are said to be on the lookout for a "world class" centre-half in the summer of 2018.