Brazilian football great Rivaldo backs Ronaldo to regain form at Man United

Rivaldo backs Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronald [Twitter]

Brazilian football great Rivaldo has backed Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo to recapture his goal-scoring form at Manchester United.

Ronaldo has struggled for playing time under manager Erik ten Hag this season and reports have linked the 37-year-old with a move away from Old Trafford when the European transfer window opens in early January.

"He's a player I admire a lot," Rivaldo, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002, was quoted as saying by the South American country's press.

"He's a great professional. He's holding himself well and at the right time he's going to get an opportunity to start and show that he's still capable."

Ronaldo has scored only once in eight appearances across all competitions for Manchester United this season. He has played just 378 minutes out of a possible 720 and was an unused substitute in the Red Devils' 6-3 defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.

Among the clubs reportedly interested in prying him away from England are Sporting Lisbon, Chelsea and Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal

"It is difficult for somebody who always plays to be on the bench, especially knowing that he can still make a difference on the pitch, despite his age," said Rivaldo, who won the 1999 Ballon d'Or, awarded to the best player in Europe.

"He has to be calm for the time being and believe that good things await him," the former Barcelona and Milan forward added.