Cristiano Ronaldo starts for Man Utd in a behind-closed-doors friendly

's efforts to get back to full fitness got a boost when he played in

's 5-1 win against National League team

Halifax Town

. The game was played behind closed doors.

After asking for time off for personal reasons, the

Portugal

international spent most of pre-season in his home country. He missed the club's trip to Thailand and Australia. He also wants to move to a team in the Champions League this season, but he doesn't have many suitors and time is running out for him to get a move this window.

United lost 2-1 at home to Brighton on Sunday.

started up front instead of Ronaldo in the first half. Erik ten Hag had said before that the 37-year-old was not in good enough shape to start against the Seagulls.

The Daily Mail says that Ronaldo played in a friendly on Monday at United's Carrington training ground, where an older Red Devils team beat Halifax 5-1.

Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, James Garner, Anthony Elanga, and Alejandro Garnacho all played, and Tom Heaton started in goal.

Ronaldo is in a race against the clock to be ready for Manchester United's next Premier League game on Saturday night at Brentford. Then, Ten Hag's team will face their first real test of the new season when Liverpool comes to Old Trafford.

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