Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo continues to operate at the very top level despite turning 37-years-old this year, and continues to show no real signs of showing down after notching another 22 goals this season.

But one of his former teammates has given the Portuguese international a timeframe on how long he can keep performing at the top level, following questions over his future at Man Utd as well as his career in general.

Elsewhere, Erik ten Hag is set to have a new captain for the club voted for by his players ahead of his first season in charge next campaign, with the Dutchman set to officially take over in June.

Cristiano Ronaldo told he can play until 2027

The 37-year-old returned to Old Trafford in a sensational switch from Juventus last summer and has continued to sparkle despite his advanced years, scoring 22 goals in all competitions since sealing his emotional reunion with the Red Devils.

There have been questions over how long he could continue his stunning performances, particularly as he edges towards a potential retirement. However, his former Portugal teammate Adrien Silva has suggested that the forward could potentially be operating on the elite level until potentially 2027.

Speaking in an interview with Goal, he said: “Even if he starts playing less games, he’ll still be scoring. So, I think he could still end up playing for another four or five years at the top, which is crazy.”

How long do you think Cristiano Ronaldo will continue playing for? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

How Man Utd players will vote captain under Erik ten Hag

Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnic k has explained that incoming manager Erik ten Hag may well opt to decide the club’s captain by asking the club’s players to vote the best candidate.

That has left Harry Maguire, who is currently in possession of the armband at Old Trafford, vulnerable to being deposed by his United team-mates in an election for the position.

Rangnick explained: “I strongly believe that the captain should be elected by the team because he’s called the team manager, and we always did that. In Germany we always had a board of four or five players, we called it the ‘spielkapitan’, elected by the players, the player with the highest amount of votes was the team captain at the end.”

Juan Mata’s unfulfilled glamorous Man Utd transfer

Much was expected of Juan Mata after moving from Chelsea to Manchester United in January 2014, but as he is left on the periphery at Old Trafford, the £37m move simply did not go to plan.

There were more than just a few eyebrows raised when Man United, then managed by David Moyes, swooped to seal a £37.1million deal for Mata from rivals Chelsea in January 2014. At 25, he arguably had his best years ahead of him and perhaps it was only Jose Mourinhowho couldn’t recognise his value.

Now, on his 34th birthday, the veteran midfielder is counting down the days before he leaves Old Trafford for the final time. Perhaps a return to Spanish football lies ahead for a player who struggles to get in the squad and has just three substitute appearances to his name this season.