Aheed Abrar
Cristiano Giuntoli claims Napoli were never in concrete talks with Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo
Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli revealed that the Serie A outfit were never in any concrete talks with Manchester United for superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portugal international was seemingly eyeing a move away from Old Trafford this summer. The Red Devils faltered in the previous campaign, where the five-time Ballon d’Or winner ended as the top goalscorer.
Speaking on Napoli’s interest in Ronaldo via transfer guru Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, Giuntoli suggested that the Serie A outfit were never really in for the Portugal international this transfer window.
United had a disappointing season in the 2021/22 campaign. The Red Devils faltered in the Premier League, finishing sixth. The Red Devils were also knocked out of the domestic cup competitions early.
The Champions League saw us getting knocked in the round of 16. We failed to go past Atletico Madrid. Goalscoring was evidently a big issue for us all season.
Erik ten Hag was appointed manager by United at the end of the previous campaign. The Dutch manager was without Ronaldo for most of pre-season. He only featured in the friendly against Rayo Vallecano.
The Red Devils’ start to the new campaign has seen the Portugal international mainly sit on the bench. Ten Hag has opted to keep the 37-year-old out of his XI for the last four fixtures.
Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga started against Liverpool, Southampton and Leicester City. Summer signing Antony was immediately put in the XI to face Arsenal.
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Ronaldo has ended up staying at the club this summer. How the 37-year-old’s situation evolves in the coming months remains to be seen. It will be interesting to see whether the Portugal international remains to come on as a substitute for United.
