Erik ten Hag set for January transfer splurge if Cristiano Ronaldo leaves

Cristiano Ronaldo's future will have a massive effect on Erik ten Hag's spending in January, with a sale set to boost the manager's budget by a fair amount.

Ronaldo's desire to leave Manchester United in the summer underpinned pretty much everything Ten Hag was doing in order to get his side ready for the season.

His lack of pre season preparation led to the manager starting with a false nine, and then playing an unready Ronaldo, as they lost their opening two games and fell to the bottom of the Premier League.

The use of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford upfront since then has changed the sides fortunes around, with the only loss since being in the Europa League, when once against the 37-year-old forward started against Real Sociedad.

Ronaldo started his first win of the season against Sheriff on Thursday. Image: Alamy

He has shown flashes that he's able to do what Ten Hag wants of him, as he did as a substitute against Arsenal, but he has to get used to being a bit part player now.

There's a chance that the five time Ballon d'Or winner will never get on board with that, and will still want to play in the Champions League in the second half of this season, so maybe he'll try to move in January.

According to the Sun, if the club manage to sell him in the winter transfer window then it could lead to a massive £30 million boost to Ten Hag's budget.

United wanted £20 million for the forward in the summer but, even with that being decreased with a free move next summer looming, it's the £450,000-a-week on wages the club would save that would most likely lead to the big boost in money.

Ronaldo could still be sold in January. Image: Alamy

United hugely backed Ten Hag in the summer, as he brought in the players to start the project of turning the club around after finishing a distant sixth in the last campaign.

Antony was the most expensive signing, arriving late in the window from Ajax for £85 million, but they also added Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Tyrell Malacia, Martin Dubrovka and Christian Eriksen for around £215 million.

According to the report, the club are set to back the manager once again, following the end of the World Cup, whether Ronaldo leaves or not.

He will apparently be handed a further £70 million to improve the team, which will then be boosted to the £100 million mark if the wantaway forward finally gets his wish.

Antony was Ten Hag's most expensive new addition. Image: Alamy

United have undoubtedly improved in recent weeks and, as well as the new signings, that's been to do with Ten Hag getting more out of the players already there.

Sancho continued his excellent form with a goal against Sheriff on Thursday, and Ten Hag believes Rashford can even lead the team to title success.

However, the manager did still miss out on number one target Frenkie de Jong back in the summer, and he could move for the midfielder once again.

A right back was another priority, with the former Ajax boss clearly not a fan of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, whilst he could potentially still want a replacement upfront for Ronaldo, should he leave.