Aheed Abrar
Erik ten Hag to allow Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to leave in January
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will not stand in the way if Cristiano Ronaldo decides to leave in January, according to The Telegraph (Subscription Required) [h/t Manchester Evening News].
The Dutch manager will let the Portuguese leave if the Red Devils receive a suitable offer in the upcoming transfer window. Last season’s top goalscorer for the Old Trafford side has been a bit-part player under the former Ajax head coach.
Ronaldo expressed his desire to leave United in the summer of 2022, a year after his homecoming. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner left the Red Devils in 2019 and returned to the club where he made his name in the previous campaign.
However, Ronaldo stayed beyond the recent transfer deadline. But now, Ten Hag is open to letting the Portugal international leave for pastures new in the winter window.
Ronaldo has been relegated to a substitute role in the 2022/23 season. The 37-year-old has started just one game in the Premier League under the Dutch manager, the 4-0 loss to Brentford.
Ten Hag has opted to start Marcus Rashford ahead of Ronaldo. The England international’s performances have kept the five-time Ballon d’Or winner out of the starting lineup.
Ronaldo has started both of United’s Europa League games, though. And the Portuguese opened his account for this season after scoring a penalty against Sheriff Tiraspol.
However, the Dutch manager opted to keep Ronaldo on the bench against City. And the 37-year-old did not come on as a substitute either as the Red Devils lost 6-3.
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Ten Hag does not seem to fancy Ronaldo in his side. It would be wise for the club to make a decision on the 37-year-old’s future before things turn sour.
