Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to end his goal drought for Manchester United in Thursday's Europa League contest with Sheriff Tiraspol in Moldova.

The absences of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial through injury mean that it is likely that the Portugal international will line up at the tip of the Red Devils attack for the European affair.

Ronaldo has not found the back of the net for Man United since the team's 3-0 victory over Brentford in the Premier League at the start of May.

The 37-year-old drew a blank in his side's penultimate match of the 2021-22 Premier League season, which proved to be a 4-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Ronaldo was then not involved against Crystal Palace on the final weekend of the campaign through injury.

The Portuguese attempted to leave Man United over the summer due to his desperation to continue playing in the Champions League, but he was unable to force an exit.

Ronaldo has only started once for the Red Devils in the Premier League this term, which proved to be the 4-0 defeat at Brentford on August 13, but he has played in all six of their games in England's top flight.

The experienced forward is yet to find the back of the net, though, while he also drew a blank against Real Sociedad in the Europa League last week despite playing the full 90 minutes.

As a result, it is eight games since he last found the back of the net for the Red Devils.

Ronaldo was in strong scoring form for Man United during the 2021-22 campaign, netting 24 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions, including six strikes in the Champions League.

The Portuguese has only played in the Europa League on three occasions, two of which came during his time at Sporting Lisbon, while he also featured against Real Sociedad last week.

Ronaldo has scored 142 times and registered 62 assists in 337 appearances for Man United during two separate spells, but his long-term future at the club is unclear.

"I'm sorry but the Moldovan fans will have to wait until tomorrow," Ten Hag said on Wednesday when asked whether the number seven would be in the starting side against Sheriff.

The forward's current deal at Old Trafford is due to expire at the end of the campaign, although there is the option to extend the agreement for a further 12 months. body check tags ::