Cristiano Ronaldo’s shock demand to leave Manchester United has put Eric ten Haig’s plans in tatters as he scrambles to stop the Portugal star’s fall from the power play.
Just a year after returning to United in a blockbuster move from Juventus, Ronaldo is already so disillusioned that he is trying to pull out of Old Trafford.
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The 37-year-old has reportedly told United that he wants to be sold, with his agent Jorge Mendes in talks with Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Napoli as he looks for a club capable of fulfilling Ronaldo’s ambitions.
Ronaldo’s frustration grew during a turbulent campaign that saw United go through three managers as they finished a disappointing sixth in the Premier League.
Although Ronaldo was United’s top scorer in all competitions with 24 goals, his team ended the season without a trophy and failed to qualify for the Champions League.
The prospect of playing in the Europa League is hardly lucrative for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has won the Champions League trophy five times.
Ronaldo has one year left on his contract and United say the former Real Madrid forward is not for sale.
Ten Haag had expressed excitement over the prospect of Ronaldo working, but he may have to plan for a future without his most decorated player.
If Ten Haag had hoped to persuade Ronaldo to give up his transfer demand, the former Ajax boss may not have been encouraged by the star’s absence when the rest of the United internationals are on their way to the start of their pre-season training program on Monday. Arrived for
United are scheduled to fly to Thailand on Friday for their Asia and Australia tour.
If Ronaldo misses the trip, it looks like his second spell at United will come to an abrupt end.
sad appearance
New Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehley is believed to have been inspired by the idea of starting a new era with Ronaldo’s marquee sign at Stamford Bridge.
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It remains to be seen whether Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel will be substantially responsible for the move after Ronaldo’s checkered first season in Manchester.
While Ronaldo’s quality as a finisher is unmatched, he rarely showed signs of engaging with the high-tempo pressing game that interim boss Ralph Rangnick was expected to deploy.
Ronaldo’s lack of mobility and questionable work ethic reportedly convinced Rangnik to ask United Football Director John Murtaugh to sell him during the January transfer window.
That request was not granted and Ronaldo remained a gloomy presence around the club for the rest of the season.
He publicly clashed with Rangnick after being replaced during a match at Brentford, while there were reports of issues between Starr and United captain Harry Maguire.
Ten Haag would certainly be aware that life with Ronaldo rarely goes smoothly and might even be wondering if he would be better off without the distractions that surround the star.
Manchester City and Liverpool are currently well ahead of United and for Ten Haig to replace them as their first English title contenders since 2013, they need to clean up a squad that turned toxic last season was.
The departure of the divisive Paul Pogba was a step in the right direction and Ten Haag is looking forward to putting his stamp on the team with several signings in the coming days.
Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksson is said to have agreed a three-year contract, with Feyenoord close to signing left-back Tyrell Malasia.
Ten Haag is also chasing Barcelona midfielder Frankie de Jong and Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez.
Those deals will be encouraging, but more importantly, Ten Haag should solve Ronaldo’s dilemma without turning a volatile situation out of control.
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