Erik ten Hag 'doesn't want' Cristiano Ronaldo to play for Man Utd again
Erik ten Hag has reportedly told his bosses at Manchester United that Cristiano Ronaldo should never play for the club again.
Ronaldo's explosive interview with Piers Morgan, in which he is set to be completely scathing about how United is run, the manager and the former manager, was teased on Sunday night.
The man who tried his hardest all summer to leave the club has said that he feels Ten Hag is trying to force him out of the club.
It was, after all, the former Ajax manager who named Ronaldo captain vs Aston Villa, just a week before the teasers hit, a move well known in football circles as a sign you want someone out of the club...
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The fallout from the interview, which won't air in its fullest until Wednesday and Thursday, has already begun, with the 37-year-old set to be fined the maximum two weeks wages.
United put out a statement saying the club would, "consider its response after the full facts have been established," although the facts seem to be pretty clear right now.
According to ESPN though, Ten Hag has already made up his mind with what should happen next, with the Dutchman telling his bosses Ronaldo shouldn't play again.
The 52-year-old held a meeting with co-chairman Joel Glazer, chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough on Monday, delaying his holiday, to discuss the issue.
The report claims that the boss wanted a motivated Ronaldo to help with the club's challenge for the top four and cup competitions.
However he is unwilling to 'sacrifice' club unity in order to keep the former Real Madrid striker around and is willing to see him go even if a replacement can't be brought in.
The all time men's international top goalscorer has only started four Premier League games in the current campaign, having still been integral to the team last season.
In the summer, the club claimed that they wanted to keep the forward, despite his clear desire to leave, but one big issue for him was the lack of suitors.
Reports said that new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly wanted to sign him but then manager Thomas Tuchel was against it, whilst one Saudi Arabian club made a huge offer.
It might not be so difficult for the team to get rid of the wantaway forward this time however, with the Telegraph reporting that they're ready to rip up his contract.
United want to avoid having to pay off the rest of Ronaldo's £500,000-a-week deal, though he may demand that if they want to cancel his contract, despite his desperation to leave.
The former Juventus man re-joined United in August 2021, after it initially looked like he would move to their rivals Manchester City.
He signed for two years with the option of a third year but got annoyed last season when his wages went down after the club failed to qualify for the Champions League.
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Premier League, Erik Ten Hag, Man Utd
Ryan Sidle