Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly ready to push for an Old Trafford exit again in the January transfer window. Ronaldo has struggled under new manager Erik Ten Hag, and there are no signs of his misfortunes abating soon.
Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Manchester United in the summer of 2021 from Juventus in a deadline transfer that saw him leave the Old Ladies of Turin to join his former club, where he rose to stardom.
Since joining the Red Devils, the results have been far from what he expected. Despite a brilliant 2021/22 Premier League season in which he scored 24 goals, things have taken a downward turn for the Portuguese.
He had opted for an Old Trafford exit after Manchester United failed to make it to the Champions League, but no club had made an offer for him. He also fail to join the team in their 2022 preseason friendlies overseen by new manager Erik Ten Hag. This posed difficulty for the 37-year-old on his return to Carrington.
Erik Ten Hag had made clear his intention to work with Cristiano Ronaldo but had complained of his fitness level after he missed preseason friendlies and training.
Ten Hag refused to start Ronaldo in Manchester United’s opening match against Brighton. He came off the bench in the second half, but Man United still lost to the Seagulls after Pascal Gross’ first-half double sank the Red Devils.
Erik Ten Hag started Ronaldo against Brentford, which was a disaster. Manchester United suffered a shocking 4-0 defeat; all four goals were scored in the first half in the first 35 minutes.
A drastic change in the team’s lineup by Ten Hag yielded an immense result. The Dutch-born tactician secured four straight wins and toppled Mikel Arteta’s 100 percent record.
Ronaldo started on the bench in all four matches won by the team. Erik Ten Hag decided to play the five-times Ballon D ‘Or winner full-time against Real Sociedad. It was another shocking defeat at Old Trafford, losing 1-0 to Real Sociedad. Ronaldo marshaled the frontline but had nothing to show for it except a bullet header which was ruled out for offside.
Erik Ten Hag blamed the squad for poor performance. He also heaped part of the blame on Ronaldo who lacked pace, drive, and energy to threaten the opponent’s defense in the match.
Ronaldo To Push For Another Exit In January Transfer Window
Sources close to Old Trafford have confirmed that Ronaldo will push for an exit from Old Trafford in the January transfer window. This follows his inability to adapt and break into Erik Ten Hag’s starting IX. The new Manchester United prefers Rashford over Cristiano Ronaldo in his attacking lineup. He has recently tipped the English youngster to score 20 goals this season. This has spelled doomed in terms of Ronaldo’s chances at the club.
A tip from some Man United players has revealed that Ronaldo will push again for an exit in January when the transfer window opens. They also maintained that Ronaldo’s style of play is not germane to Erik Ten Hag’s system and attacking plan.
He is likely to find himself on the bench going forward. The players further revealed Ronaldo’s weakness in the Erik Ten Hag pattern. According to them, Ronaldo always demands the ball too early in the buildup dropping down deep. This leaves the attack empty when the team goes wide on counter.
Ronaldo is evidently down the pecking order at Manchester United. A move in the January transfer window remains the only alternative as he may find it difficult to adapt to Erik Ten Hag’s system.
