Posted: 09:56, August 7, 2022 | Updated: 10:54, August 7, 2022
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has told the club to sell striker Cristiano Ronaldo this summer.
Ronaldo has asked to leave Old Trafford but boss Erik ten Haag insists the Portuguese superstar remains in his plans for the new season.
Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid have rejected the chance to sign Ronaldo, who could feature in United’s Premier League opener against Brighton this afternoon.
Cristiano Ronaldo has told Manchester United he wants to leave Old Trafford this summer
Wayne Rooney says United must fulfill Ronaldo wish and look for younger options
Current DC United manager Rooney, who spent five seasons playing alongside Ronaldo during the 37-year-old’s first spell at Old Trafford, believes the Red Devils should look to the future with a younger alternative.
“I think United should let Cristiano Ronaldo go,” Rooney wrote in The Times. “It’s not that Ronaldo can’t play in a Ten Hague team. He can play in any team. Ronnie will always score you goals.
“But my personal view is that United are not ready to challenge for the title now, so the aim has to be to build a team that can win the league in the next three to four years, and you have to plan for that.
“If the reports are true that Cristiano wants to leave the club, then United should allow him to go and take the No.9 for who will be there for the next three or four years and really help them build a team that can be successful. Ten Haag must be given time to do it.”
Erik ten Hag continues to insist the 37-year-old remains in his plans for next season
Rooney spent five seasons playing alongside Ronaldo at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson
Red Salzburg striker Benjamin Cesko, 19, is a name linked with a move to Old Trafford as talks between United chiefs and Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes continue.
The Portugal international missed most of the club’s pre-season after being given time off for a family matter, but played the first half of their latest friendly against Rayo Vallecano last weekend.
However, he and several other players left Old Trafford 10 minutes before full-time, which Ten Haag described as “unacceptable”.
Ronaldo has declared himself fit to start against Brighton this afternoon after his manager said “we’ll see” when asked if the striker will feature in the club’s pre-season opener.
