Pranav Kannan
Transfer News: Cristiano Ronaldo tells Manchester United he wants to leave
According to popular Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has told Manchester United he wants to leave the club as he wants to “see more ambition”.
Ronaldo joined Man United from Juventus just a season ago, returning to the place where it all started for the talented striker. Whilst his return has gone pretty well, at least from the player’s perspective, Man United aren’t benefiting so much on the league table.
There is a feeling that Ronaldo did not do a lot of work off the ball to help out his teammates. Ralf Rangnick himself conceded that the Portuguese superstar’s lack of pressing meant a compromise on the club’s play style.
Ronaldo, who is 37 now, still plays football at a very high level and has adapted his game in such a way that he continues to score goals despite not being as electric as he used to be before. His fitness can never be called into question and it comes as no surprise that he still wants to compete at the highest level.
In 38 games for an underperforming Manchester United this season, Ronaldo has scored 24 goals and provided three assists across all competitions. Despite all this, the Red Devils finished a dismal sixth in the Premier League table.
Hence, he could now look to leave Old Trafford with his agent Jorge Mendes on the lookout for potential suitors. It is understandable if he wants ‘more ambition’ with United not in the UCL for the next season.
Even in the transfer market, the club is yet to bring in a senior player and has already lost Paul Pogba to Juventus.
Blessing in disguise?
Manchester United are about to begin a new era under a new coach in Erik ten Hag and Ronaldo wanting to leave could actually turn into a blessing in disguise for them.
Whilst there is no doubting Ronaldo’s credentials as a footballer and his goal-scoring ability, perhaps it is best for both parties to part ways this summer. Ronaldo isn’t a long-term solution up front for us.
He was never meant to be when he was brought in last summer as a 36-year-old. It is best to look forward and provide that playing time to a player who can give his services to us for the next several years.
Of course, having CR7 on board could mean that ten Hag’s first season at Man Utd becomes a little easier given he would have a serial winner in his team who would push everyone to do well but given his status, he would want to start every game he can here- and that could be a problem if ten Hag doesn’t want that for his team.
At 37, it would not be fair for us to expect Ronaldo to be a pressing monster off the ball. What the Portuguese superstar does best is score goals and hence compromises will have to be made to fit the former Real Madrid man into the team.
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Romano claims United want to keep Ronaldo, and that isn’t a big surprise either. He is someone who keeps the spotlight fixated on Man Utd. But even if he leaves, it won’t be the end of the world for the club.
