Manchester United face pressure from sponsors to keep hold of Cristiano Ronaldo

According to The Mirror, Manchester United are on the receiving end of huge pressure from the sponsors to keep hold of Cristiano Ronaldo beyond this summer. He has expressed his desire to leave Old Trafford to remain in the Champions League, which has led to this situation.

Erik ten Hag is open to letting Ronaldo leave in this transfer window, but the boss could be helpless due to outside factors. That is because Man United have caved into some headline sponsors’ demands and are unwilling to sell the striker as the partners have chipped in to pay the talisman’s high wages.

Cristiano is believed to be earning around £500,000-a-week in salaries, but the sponsors want to experience his massive commercial impact for at least another campaign. The Red Devils are unconcerned about this situation because of him being tied down on a contract with them.

What should Man Utd do with Ronaldo?

Just like ten Hag, there are some at Old Trafford who believe that perhaps it would be in their best interest to sell Ronaldo ahead of the next season. That is understandable as keeping the Portuguese international against his wishes would create an unhealthy atmosphere which is the last thing we want at this point.

Even though the sponsors’ stance is down to the monetary benefits, it does have some advantages on sporting terms as well. That is pretty evident looking at the options that ten Hag has in hand when it comes to the attacking department.

Following Edinson Cavani’s exit, there is no natural centre-forward option apart from Ronaldo. The latter’s departure would seriously put us into trouble which gives all the more reason to keep hold of him. But we should do that only if the 37-year-old can be convinced about the project we are building right now.

That could be difficult due to the former Real Madrid man’s CL aspirations, but we should try out cards nonetheless. However, we cannot let up, as Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are the only two makeshift choices that ten Hag would have for the lone striker role in the frontline.

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Rashford and Martial have not been at their best for quite some while, which does cast doubts on that outcome for now. Hence, keeping hold of Ronaldo is a must for monetary and sporting benefits, but with Chelsea registering their interest in signing him, it would need to be seen whether that will happen or not.