The Portuguese superstar is reportedly desperate to leave Old Trafford after a dismal first season back at the club. With the club struggling to finish sixth last time out, United face Europa League football this coming season. And it is widely claimed that Ronaldo – the Champions League’s record goalscorer – feels the competition is beneath him. As such, efforts to secure him a move elsewhere have seen Ronaldo linked with a number of clubs. Of these, perhaps the strongest links have been with Atletico Madrid, amid talks of a swap deal for Antoine Griezmann. However, after much talk in the media, Ronaldo is now back in training with United. And a crucial meeting with Ten Hag on Tuesday may have done it, with the self-proclaimed King returning for Sunday’s friendly with Rayo Vallecano. This raises hopes that Ronaldo can stay after the close of the transfer window. However, there are those who remain optimistic and believe that Ronaldo is driven by personal ambition. As a result, speculation about his future is likely to continue to swirl around the 37-year-old. His importance to Ten Haag is obvious. Given that Ronaldo was comfortably the club’s top scorer last season with 24 goals, he would leave United with a glaring hole in their side. Furthermore, with United’s budget not really allowing for the signing of a striker, Ten Haag will be desperate to keep his talisman in place. Now Ronaldo has been warned to put his team’s success ahead of his own for the first time in his career.
Cristiano Ronaldo has said he could be the new captain of The Hague
The demand comes from talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino, who reckons Ronaldo should drop the selfish act for the good of United. “Ronaldo’s role is not only to score more goals in the Champions League. Yes, great, great,” Cascarino began. “So your whole goal in life is to break records? Now he is at the stage of his career now where the club he is at is trying to rekindle and needs a leader. “They have to be that leader on the football field, to try as a team to galvanize something. If Ronaldo thinks it’s only for his goals, he will achieve his goals, but the club will fail.” The saga tip comes amid Ten Haag’s words to the media in which he has made it clear he wants to build his side around Ronaldo. And Cascarino admits he should use it as motivation, rather than a reason to leave. “When the manager comes in and wants to build a team around you for this season and they want him, that’s a great place for a player. Having a manager give you their full support. “Now the disappointment for Ronaldo from my point of view is that he signed a two-year contract. If you wanted to come to Manchester United, you sign a one-year contract and leave after a year. “You don’t have to go rock the boat. What I would say to Ronaldo is, for the first time in your life, think about your team, your team. “The club and the fan base have been incredible for you, and you’ve played brilliantly for them.
Just one way stardom can silence challengers
“You’ve done so well that you’ve been adored from the moment you arrived and every breath you took on that football pitch, and when you came back they adored you and still adore you. “But he’s ruling it out now, though, because there must be an element of Manchester United fans who are disappointed with his lack of commitment to the football club.” The absence from the Champions League is obviously bothering Ronaldo. Given that he holds the record for most goals (140), most appearances (183) and most assists (42), it’s easy to see why he wants to build on that. And at 37, you’d expect he wouldn’t have many years left. However, Ronaldo is a rare breed of athlete who can continue playing at the top level for several more seasons.
Should Manchester United keep Cristiano Ronaldo?
Do Manchester United need Cristiano Ronaldo next season? As such, his focus must surely be on staying at United and ensuring their absence from the Champions League is only for one season. And if Ten Haag, with Ronaldo in the side, completes the assignment of the first season, then Ronaldo will return to the Champions League in 2023. There will be an element of supporters, however, who will not like the current buzz around the player. And the only way Cristiano Ronaldo can silence those doubters is on the pitch by scoring goals and proving his commitment to the cause. United, meanwhile, are reportedly ready to make a fresh bid for Benjamin Cesko amid reports of a meeting with John Murtaugh.
