Erik ten Hag will reportedly try to convince Cristiano Ronaldo to stay in determined open talks – but more details have emerged as to why the Portugal star wants to leave.
The 37-year-old made a sensational return to Old Trafford last summer, but his second chapter there was not as fruitful as his first. United finished sixth in the Premier League last season after a dismal campaign.
They will thus play in the Europa League next season, with Ronaldo – a five-time Champions League winner and the competition’s record goalscorer – keen to return to Europe’s top table.
However, the Manchester United star is finding a way to leave the club more difficult than his move to Real Madrid in 2009.
A return to Los Blancos is impossible 13 years later. Atletico Madrid have also dismissed talk of a transfer for Ronaldo as financially meaningless.
According to CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs, Ronaldo’s agent – the famous Jorge Mendes – has already declared that his client is ready to take a pay cut of up to 30 percent.
But that still wasn’t enough to convince Atlético to take a shot. They consider a move “problematic” for their finances at this time.
United, for their part, have continued to stress that Ronaldo is not for sale. And the fact that no club comes close to taking him away gives them reason to solidify that position.
Ten Hag wants talks with Ronaldo
Jacobs therefore adds that new Manchester United boss Ten Hag wants to have open talks while the chance to settle his differences with Ronaldo remains.
But Ronaldo seems to be having none of it. Not only does he want to return to the Champions League, but he reportedly wants to take the “burden” of scoring goals off his shoulders.
He was United’s top scorer last season with 24 goals in 38 games, but he believes having more support alongside him could allow him to maintain his top form.
And he clearly doesn’t feel he can get that at Old Trafford. Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have both had impressive pre-seasons, but it remains unclear whether they can carry that form into the Premier League.
Ten Hag want another attacking addition, with Ajax’s Antoni a key target. However, Ronaldo seems to have made up his mind.
United facing key transfer issue
Man United face the prospect of having a hapless striker as their highest-paid player if they fail to replace Ronaldo.
On the other hand, though, there appear to be very few – if any – avenues for the Portuguese to fall.
It’s a worrying situation for United and one that needs to be resolved one way or another before the end of the transfer window.
Should Manchester United keep hold of Cristiano Ronaldo?
Do Manchester United need Cristiano Ronaldo next season?
The Ten Hag need everyone on board to push their new project forward, but Ronaldo is likely to continue dominating the headlines if his situation remains unresolved.
Therefore, the hope for United is to win the players’ round. At his best, Ronaldo has proven that he is still a threat to defenders and must be convinced that the Ten Hag are building something special that suits him.
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