Cristiano Ronaldo transfer latest: Ten Hag tries to stem simmering feud as star’s sister launches into furious tirade against Man Utd boss

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has done his best to diffuse a fresh row around Cristiano Ronaldo after the player’s sister blasted the Dutch coach and claims of him wanting a move away reared its head once again.

The Portuguese superstar has seen his future very much under the spotlight over the past few months. United’s laboured sixth-placed finish last season left the club without Champions League football and Ronaldo seriously questioning the direction the club is heading in. Those fears appeared to grow amid a difficult opening to the summer transfer window.

During that time, Ronaldo was linked with a series of high-profile moves. However, a plethora of suitors – including Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid – all turned their back on his prospective signing. That left Ronaldo still a United player, but with his future – and place in the side – looking anything but secure.

Indeed, he started the season struggling for minutes as Ten Hag opted to leave Ronaldo benched. He has gradually worked his way back into the Dutchman’s thinking – and Ten Hag hinted at a greater role to come for Ronaldo after a landmark career goal at Everton.

However, the transfer whispers refuse to go away. And this article examines the five clubs Ronaldo could join in the January transfer window.

His future has once again been called into question following his withdrawal against Newcastle on Sunday. Having started the game at Old Trafford, Ronaldo was withdrawn after 72 minutes after a frustrating afternoon in front of goal.

Ronaldo sister points angry finger at Ten Hag

That appears to have been the trigger for fresh speculation surrounding his future. And the situation has arguably been made worse by the player’s sister, Elma Aveiro, hitting out at Ten Hag for his treatment of her brother.

Taking to social media, Ronaldo’s sibling has made it clear what she thinks about Ten Hag and his treatment of the superstar.

Sharing a screen shot of a news story entitled: ‘Erik Ten Hag’s justification for substituting Cristiano Ronaldo’. Accompanying the post, she also wrote ‘It’s too late’, before adding three sick face emojis – suggesting Ten Hag has burned his bridges as far as Ronaldo is concerned.

This is not the first time one of Ronaldo’s sisters has stood up for the player on social media either. Earlier this season, his other sister, Katia Aveiro, hit out at ungrateful Portugal supporters following criticism of his performance last month.

He spurned a number of key chances in the 1-0 Nations League defeat to Spain, fans suggested Ronaldo might be done with the Portuguese national side.

However, Aveiro was quick to hit back, insisting her 37-year-old brother was ‘still the best player in the world’.

The latest comments, though, have done little to stem suggestions Ronaldo is looking for an escape route in January.

Reports claim he is continuing to task his agent, Jorge Mendes, with finding him a new Champions League club in the new year.

However, Ten Hag appears unlikely to sell and it appears a parting of ways next summer seems the more likely outcome.

Ten Hag makes substitution admission

Ten Hag, meanwhile, has done his best to try and take the sting out the situation.

Ronaldo was visibly unhappy as he trudged off on Sunday and was seen muttering to himself when his number came up.

“I think no player is happy when he comes off and especially not Ronaldo,” Ten Hag said. “I understand that.

“As long as it’s in a quiet normal way, no problem with that. Of course he has the convincement he should stay on and he should score a goal. That’s why he is that good.

“I know (he scored a hat-trick against Tottenham last season) and of course when you make a line-up several facts you count on but also other facts you take account of.”

Ronaldo and teammates were enraged in the 49th minute of Sunday’s match, surrounding referee Craig Pawson claiming Newcastle’s Fabian Schar had taken a free-kick meaning he was free to nip in to score before Nick Pope could react.

That has led to a FA charge for United failing to control their players, to which Ten Hag has offered his thoughts.

“My response? To the charge? I must say, I don’t think it was too strong,” Ten Hag added. “It wasn’t really aggressive but I don’t know what’s happening exactly on the pitch because I was too far away.

“I’ve seen it back on the video. There was a touch from the Newcastle player, that was quite clear and they went to go to the ref to ask about it.”

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