Aheed Abrar
Chelsea and Real Madrid potential destinations for Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo in January
Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo still intends to move in the January transfer window, with Chelsea and Real Madrid tipped as his destinations, according to Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Manchester Evening News).
The Portugal international wanted a part ways with the Red Devils in the summer of 2022. However, he ended up remaining in Manchester. But the 37-year-old’s future at the club is still uncertain.
Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has been tasked with finding the five-time Ballon d’Or winner a new club in January. And Chelsea and Madrid are the only clubs that “can legitimately give him the transfer he wants”.
United ended the previous campaign in sixth position in the Premier League. As a result, the Old Trafford side lost out on Champions League football. And Ronaldo wanted a move in the summer to a team competing in European football’s biggest club competition.
The Portuguese did not get his move in the recent transfer window. On top of that, Ronaldo has not been the first-choice under Erik ten Hag. Instead, the new manager has preferred the likes of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial in the centre-forward position.
The English and French forwards seem to have found their feet under Ten Hag. Rashford and Martial have been two of our best players in the current campaign.
Thus, Ronaldo has had to settle for a role as a substitute. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has primarily started in the Europa League for the Red Devils. The 37-year-old has just one start in the Premier League.
Ronaldo has also not been in the best of forms. The Portuguese does not seem to have his shooting boots on. He has scored just two goals in the 2022/23 campaign. However, the 37-year-old did hit the landmark of 700 club career goals with his strike against Everton in the 2-1 win.
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Ronaldo won multiple UCL titles during his time with Los Blancos. However, whether Madrid opt to get him from United in January remains to be seen.
