Manchester United must act in January window if Ronaldo is sacked – opinion
Isabel Ryan
Manchester United's Dutch manager Erik ten Hag (R) watches as Manchester United's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo (C) is subbed on for Manchester United's French striker Anthony Martial (L) during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on October 9, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester United must bring in reinforcements in the January transfer window if they sack Cristiano Ronaldo.
According to the Daily Mail, the club have reportedly begun legal proceedings in terminating Ronaldo’s contract following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan, in which he made allegations towards Erik ten Hag, his teammates, former players and the Glazers.
His timing was likely ideal for him, as he hopes to find a new club in the winter transfer window and would not have been expected to report to Carrington until late December, following the World Cup.
Whilst the majority of fans will be glad to see the back of him, it does mean that the squad are further depleted in the forward department.
Several matches this season have already highlighted finishing as a weakness, and a new striker is needed to bolster attacking options heading into the second half of the campaign.
United’s current options
Now, Ten Hag will be relying solely on Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford. The Frenchman has missed 15 games through injury and is an impractical option to count on for the packed schedule United face. Rashford is in fine form but often prefers to be deployed on the wing.
Regardless, the board now have no choice but to spend in January if United want a successful season and run in all competitions.
