Cristiano Ronaldo has finally made his way back to Manchester to discuss his future with the team and coach Erik ten Hag.
Due to personal reasons, the 37-year-old missed United’s pre-season tour. Amid that, he had requested to depart Old Trafford a few days before United confirmed that the Portuguese star was away due to personal reasons.
Ronaldo’s desire to exit the club was due to several factors, the main one being his desire to play Champions League football in the coming season.
Following their sixth-place performance in the Premier League the previous season, United were unable to provide Ronaldo the opportunity to continue competing in the elite European club competition.
The latest reports concerning Ronaldo’s future claimed that the Portuguese star is considering moving to Atletico Madrid. To make room in the wage budget for the player, Atletico Madrid would need to sell at least two other players.
Chelsea and Bayern Munich, however, have backed away from the idea of pursuing the striker. According to the most recent information from David Ornstein of The Athletic, Cristiano Ronaldo has now returned to his team and was in Manchester on Monday, July 25, 2022.
He will meet with United, but it is unknown if he will workout with the team on Tuesday after they had a day off on Monday.
He is anticipated to speak with Erik ten Hag in person “in the next days.” The United No. 7 has received glowing public comments from the Dutch boss.
The United manager told reporters last week, “I think Cristiano is capable of pressing. He has displayed everything in his career. I have set my demand. We want to play in a certain way. A top player can contribute, and Ronaldo is an absolute top player in our squad.”
Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale, according to the club’s position, and that is also what Ten Hag has stated in almost all his media appearances.
According to sources elsewhere, the club, who only learned of his homecoming 24 hours prior, see his comeback as a positive development.
It seems more likely now, according to those close to the situation, that Ronaldo might stay at United beyond this summer.
The issue of Ronaldo’s future at Old Trafford is still not entirely clear yet. Hence, when Ten Hag speaks to the player, the coach would probably attempt to determine the clarity of that.
Another report from Melissa Ridley stated that the club’s insiders have praised the manner the new manager has handled the circumstance only a few weeks into his position, while also building his squad during the club’s tour.
Also, Ten Hag hasn’t ruled out the prospect of Ronaldo’s contract’s extension being activated if he decides to stay.
He told reporters last week: “I am fully informed, and he also has an option (of another year). Yes (he could stay beyond this season), but to be honest, of course, I have signed here for three years, but in football it’s short-term as well. We have to win from the start. So I don’t look that far ahead.”
