Manchester United has become a part of big certainty after Cristiano Ronaldo expressed his intentions about leaving the club this summer. The Portuguese international returned to Old Trafford last season and still has a year left on his contract. However, Ronaldo is unwilling to continue as he wants to play Champions League next season. Moreover, CR7 is also frustrated by the lack of transfer activity at the club during the summer transfer window. Amid all the drama, the United’s new manager Erik ten Hag stated that Cristiano is yet to inform him about his desire to leave the club. The Red Devils’ boss warned yet again that the 37-year-old is not for sale this summer.
However, Ronaldo has not joined the team for the club’s pre-season tour yet, citing personal reasons. Thus, the United center forward is likely to miss out on Tuesday’s first game against Liverpool in Bangkok. However, ten Hag is not really concerned about the situation causing problems to the new manager’s strategy for the club during the upcoming season. The United manager told that he did not speak to Ronaldo after the revelation that he wanted to leave the club.
The Dutch manager also mentioned that the Red Devils were preparing for Ronaldo to play the next season. Hag stated he was looking forward to working with the Portuguese star. The 52-year-old shared that he read about Ronaldo’s wish and suggested that he was not for sale. He has CR7 in the team’s plans and hopes to succeed together. The Dutchman added, ” I spoke with him before this issue came up. I had a conversation with him, and I had a good talk. That is between Cristiano and me.”
Harry Maguire To Remain The Captain While Hag Looks For Potential Transfers
Erik further revealed that Harry Maguire would remain the Red Devils’ on-pitch leader next season. The United defender received a great deal of criticism after the club finished outside Champions League qualification, 35 points behind premier league champions Manchester City. The English center-back went through his personal warm-up routine on Monday during open training due to a tight hamstring. Hag told that he needed to get along with all the players. He continued that Maguire has been the club’s leader for years and has achieved a lot. Hence, the Dutchman does not have any doubts about his leadership role.
Moreover, the United has made its first signing of the summer recently. They acquired left-back Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord for £12.9M. The 22-year-old has signed a four-year contract with Old Trafford. Hag suggested that Malacia is the definition of a modern full-back. He is good at defending, tough to beat, and contributes to the offense.