Krishnan Sreekumar
Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at Old Trafford if new boss Erik ten Hag is keen on keeping him
According to The Sun, Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has told his teammates that he is planning on staying at the club beyond the summer, if incoming new manager Erik ten Hag is keen to keep him at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo only re-signed for the Red Devils last summer, joining from Juventus after spending three trophy-laden years in Italy. However, he has returned to a rather disappointing second spell in Manchester, with the team failing to win any silverware or finish in the top four of the Premier League.
This led to speculation that the Portugal captain might depart at the end of the campaign in search of a new destination. However, a source at the English club has revealed that the forward has told the other players that he is not going anywhere, unless the club say they do not want him.
“Ronaldo told the players he’s not going anywhere unless the club say they don’t want him. No one is more disappointed than him about how the season has panned out.”
It has been a completely underwhelming season for the Premier League giants, who have missed out on Champions League qualification for the first time since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge. They are now set to finish in sixth place, which will see them qualify instead for the Europa League.
“No regrets about coming back to Old Trafford”
Given how poor they have been this term, senior officials at Old Trafford have decided to rope in ten Hag of Ajam Amsterdam to lead the side from next season onwards. The Dutchman has been hugely successful in the Eredivisie and has been tasked with getting United back to glory.
Ronaldo’s future in Manchester could very well be decided by the Ajax boss, as an insider at United confirmed that the 37-year-old will depart if ten Hag does not want to keep him beyond the summer. However, the player will have no hard feelings and will leave with no regrets about his second spell at the club.
“But he doesn’t want to leave on a low and wants to help get the club back into the Champions League and try and win a trophy next year. However, he has told them if the new boss wants to go in a different direction, then he will have no hard feelings and has no regrets about coming back to Old Trafford.”
While the Red Devils’ season has imploded and seen very few bright spots, Ronaldo has continued to be the team’s driving force. Barring a dry spell in the early part of 2022, he has been prolific in front of the net and supplied the goals for the team.
Fellow forwards Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford have not been able to contribute this term, with the former barely making regular starts due to his injury issues and the latter looking like a shadow of the player he once was due to a lack of form.
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This meant that Ronaldo had to shoulder the responsibility of scoring the goals for his side, and he did so to the best of his abilities. He has managed to score two hat-tricks at Old Trafford in winning causes, while also single-handedly dragging the team to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
If ten Hag decides against keeping him and signing a new forward instead, then the club will lose one of their brightest performers from this season. Only time will tell what happens to the Portugal international, and whether this is the last time we see him in our famous red shirt.
