Uncertainty remains over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United future and Erik ten Hag is running out of time to implement the veteran star into his plans ahead of the new season.
Manchester United are seeking clarity from Cristiano Ronaldo this week about when he can start training with Erik ten Hag’s squad, according to The Guardian.
Jamie Jackson reports: “United have been respectful of Ronaldo’s need to be at home and the manager said on Friday he has still not had any communication with the Portuguese while away. But Ronaldo will now be asked when he feels able to start training. Even if this was to be as early as Tuesday, Ten Hag has suggested he may not be able to play Ronaldo against Brighton due to his lack of preparation.”
With every day that passes, time is running out for the new manager to integrate the 37-year-old forward into his plans with the Premier League season just two weeks ago.
Ronaldo has been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid, while other reports suggest United are willing to let him leave on loan.
It leads me to think that, even if Ronaldo returns next week, he will not be in the starting line-up to face Brighton. Anthony Martial will be expected to lead the line after impressing on tour.
The players have been given Monday as a rest day next week after returning from Australia.
United take on Atletico Madrid in Norway on Saturday, before Ten Hag’s side face Rayo Vallecano in his first home game on Sunday. That will be the final pre-season friendly ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
Ronaldo needs to fulfill his contract and play or forfiet his pay.
Yeah, stop paying him. The bloke is just selfish and is displaying exactly those qualities. Utd need to build a team full of team players. When he was first with us he was a boy amongst men, now he is CR7 and nearly as bad as Pogba in my eyes.
Jog him on.
He’ll always be a great former player, but never a legend…..