Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United exit bombshell: Why he wants out and Erik ten Hag’s response
Cristiano Ronaldo’s euphoric reunion with Manchester United has turned sour as he made an unexpected transfer request.
The former Real Madrid and Juventus player only returned to Old Trafford a little more than a year ago and was expected to get the Red Devils back in contention for big titles.
It is fair to say that it has not worked out that way, with the club finishing sixth under Ralf Rangnick.
With the German gone and Erik ten Hag in charge, there was hope that the pair could develop a strong bond during the Dutchman’s first campaign.
That now seemed unlikely, given Ronaldo’s declared desire to go.
Ronaldo drops transfer bombshell
After months of speculation over Ronaldo’s future, it appears that the Portugueseman has finally declared his wish to depart sooner rather than later.
The striker has asked to leave Old Trafford after only one season.
The player’s team is hopeful that if a suitable offer for his services is made between now and deadline day, the Red Devils will not stand in his way.
It is not the first time he has indicated a wish to leave. Ronaldo considered leaving the club as early as the January transfer window, but was talked out of making a disturbance.
Grounds for departure emerge
Of all, given that Ronaldo only returned to Old Trafford last summer, it is surprising that he wants out so soon. He does, however, have reasons for wanting to go.
The Portuguese attacker has previously expressed his discontent with the club’s current transfer window efforts – or lack thereof.
A lot of new faces are needed at the club, and while a number of names, including Frenkie de Jong and Tyrell Malacia, have been connected with a move, no agreement has been reached.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo has been left “shocked and disillusioned” by the Red Devils’ performances throughout the 2021/22 season, with the team finishing sixth in the Premier League and falling into the Europa League.
United also exited the Champions League in the round of 16.
Ronaldo is said to desire to continue playing top-level European football – and maybe compete for titles – something that appears impossible at Old Trafford.
Man Utd issue a forthright reaction
Despite the fact that the erratic forward has expressed a wish to quit the club, it appears that the Red Devils are unwilling to let him go.
The club was incensed after allegations surfaced of his representative Jorge Mendes meeting with new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly, and stressed that the Portuguese was not for sale.
Despite the current developments concerning his future, the club has stated that he is still under contract and will return to the club’s Carrington Training Base for pre-season training.
These are sentiments shared by his teammates. Bruno Fernandes, a club and international teammate, has already revealed that he expects to see Ronaldo again on Monday after having private chats with the attacker throughout the off-season.
Erik ten Hag plans possible replacement
While the Red Devils will obviously want Ronaldo to stay for the foreseeable future – or at least the next 12 months – new manager Erik ten Hag is already planning for a potential successor.
The Red Devils have been linked with a transfer for Brazilian playmaker Antony since the Dutchman arrived at Old Trafford, with the winger impressing ten Hag during his time at Ajax.
The club appeared to have been priced out of a move for him at first, with the Dutch giants expecting to gain at least £70 million from his sale.
With Ronaldo’s future uncertain, Ten Hag has submitted an emergency plea to the club’s board to proceed with a move for Antony.
If they sign de Jong, Malacia, and Lisandro Martinez, they will have to pay another large amount. They have already committed more than £120 million on signing de Jong, Malacia, and Lisandro Martinez.
What happens next?
A number of clubs have already shown an interest in signing Ronaldo if he is permitted to leave Old Trafford this summer. Chelsea are among United’s Premier League opponents who could make a move, with Mendes meeting with Chelsea chief executive officer Boehly.
ALSO READ:
- Erik ten Hag told to rip up Man Utd transfer plan following Joel Glazer disagreement
- What Erik ten Hag told Manchester United squad after FA Cup final defeat to Man City
- Barcelona boss Xavi rules out Arsenal transfer following Edu admission
- Mauricio Pochettino tells Chelsea the first transfer he wants to make
- Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich hit with Fordstam threat after takeover
- What Erling Haaland told Man City teammates after FA Cup final win over Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United exit bombshell: Why he wants out and Erik ten Hag’s response
