Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Desperate Ronaldo ploy shown up, as journalist hints at brewing Man Utd rift with Ten Hag

Man Utd striker Cristiano Ronaldo

A journalist has hinted at the real reason why Cristiano Ronaldo made his exit wish clear amid claims he and Erik ten Hag haven’t spoken since the bombshell was dropped.

Ronaldo, 37, has urged Manchester United to entertain offers from clubs who can satisfy his Champions League ambition. Ronaldo made the club aware of his exit desire two weeks ago, though concrete interest has not emerged.

The likes of Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Napoli and PSG were all mooted as potential landing spots. However, transfers for players of Ronaldo’s calibre and who command such colossal wages aren’t often made quickly.

Ronaldo has been excused from United’s pre-season tour beginning in Thailand. Family reasons were cited which the club have accepted.

Now, two Sky Sports journalists have shed light on what the future might hold for the Portuguese icon.

Firstly, Sky reporter, Michael Bridge, ran the rule over the potential suitors, with Chelsea emerging as the likeliest candidate.

“Manchester United’s stance is still that he is not for sale,” said Bridge. “The issue, like we have said day after day, is that Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t want to play in the Europa League. Where does he go?

“We’ve talked about the ideal clubs for him. Bayern Munich’s sporting director said no last week; PSG are going down the Parisian route in terms of transfers; going forward.

“Is it potentially one for Todd Boehly at Chelsea, who has taken over this unofficial sporting director role?”

Senior reporter, Kaveh Solkehol, then weighed in on the finer details of Ronaldo’s exit request.

Solhekol claimed the initial view had been Ronaldo pushed to leave in the knowledge concrete interest had already been registered. However, the reporter thinks Ronaldo’s actions were in fact a desperate bid to drum up interest that wasn’t already there.

Furthermore, Solkehol claimed Ronaldo and Ten Hag haven’t spoken since the the initial bombshell.

Ronaldo, Ten Hag haven’t spoken

Solkehol said: “The interesting thing with this one is that when it came out that he wanted to leave, he wanted a new challenge and he wanted Manchester United to look at suitable offers, the assumption was almost that Jorge Mendes had found those offers and was about to present them.

“But nothing has been forthcoming and United’s stance has not changed at all: Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale.

“He has got a year remaining on his contract. They expect him to be at the club next season and there is a 12-month option on that contract as well.

“When we heard from Erik ten Hag in his news conference yesterday, he basically said that he expects Ronaldo to be at United next season and that he’s not for sale.

“The interesting thing is that he hasn’t spoken to Ronaldo since the player made it clear he doesn’t want to remain at the club.

“I just wonder now whether the saga that started with Ronaldo saying he wanted to leave may have been a way to drum up interest rather than there being initial interest to present to Manchester United.”

CR7 swimming against the tide

Ronaldo’s return last season was intended to give United the final push they required to challenge for the Premier League title.

Ronaldo delivered in front of goal when bagging 18 league strikes, though the team as a whole suffered greatly.

Should Manchester United keep Cristiano Ronaldo?

Should Manchester United keep Cristiano Ronaldo?

Do Manchester United need Cristiano Ronaldo next season?

New boss Ten Hag favours a high intensity approach with every player expected to do their part both in and out of possession. At 37, Ronaldo’s days of pressing from the front and tracking back are long gone.

If United do receive a suitable offer for the striker, they would be wise to consider it.

The last thing Ten Hag needs is a Ronaldo sideshow overshadowing his first season at the helm.