Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Cristiano Ronaldo delivers upbeat Man Utd message and excited for future under Ten Hag

Cristiano Ronaldo waving to the Old Trafford crowd after a Manchester United win

Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted that he may well stay on at Manchester United next season after admitting he is excited about the arrival of Erik ten Hag.

Ronaldo, 37, is close to completing the first of a two-year deal he penned in August last year. It has not been the season he hoped, with the Red Devils currently sixth in the Premier League table. They have failed to qualify for next season’s Champions League after a disjointed campaign that saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lose his job.

The arrival of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager had little effect, with a number of insipid performances. Many big-name players have not been at their best and it seems inevitable that there will be a clear-out this summer.

Ronaldo has contributed 18 top-flight goals, with 24 in all competitions. But rumours persist that he might look to move away at the end of the season in order to play Champions League football.

Ten Hag will take over in the summer after winning another Eredivisie title with Ajax. Ronaldo is aware of the 52-year-old’s credentials but urged everyone at the club not to expect too much too soon.

“What I know about him is he did a fantastic job for Ajax, that he’s an experienced coach,” he told the club’s website. “But we need to give him time.

“Things need to change the way he wants.”

Ronaldo craves United glory

Ronaldo has won nearly everything the game has to offer, with seven league titles to his name. The Portugal international has also lifted the Champions League on five occasions.

There will be no silverware to add to his collection at Old Trafford this season. But the veteran appears happy to work with the incoming boss to ensure that is not the case in 2022-2023.

“I hope we have success, of course, because, if you have success, all of Manchester is going to have success as well. I wish him the best,” he added. “We are happy and excited, not only as players, but the supporters as well.

Incoming Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag

“I wish him the best and let’s believe that, next year, we are going to win trophies.”

Whether or not the superstar remains at Manchester United only time will tell. It will come down to his ambition and whether he wants to play a season without featuring in Europe’s elite club competition.

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