• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Tom Heaton is part of Erik ten Hag's Man United 'leadership group' , but Cristiano Ronaldo is NOT amid rumours of January exit

Home> Football

Published 17:12 5 Oct 2022 GMT+1

Tom Heaton is part of Erik ten Hag's Man United 'leadership group' , but Cristiano Ronaldo is NOT amid rumours of January exit

Tom Heaton has been listed among four leaders at Man United under Erik ten Hag, but wantaway star Cristiano Ronaldo isn't

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly NOT part of Manchester United's four-man leadership group.

The 37-year-old has yet to start a game in the Premier League this season and appears destined to leave Old Trafford in January, with widespread reports suggesting he is looking to secure a move in the winter transfer window.

His only starts so far in 2022/23 have come in the Europa League, having failed to secure a move away last summer.

Advert

And not only is he increasingly playing a bit-part role in Erik ten Hag's plan but has also lost his senior status within the United squad, according to reports.

The Telegraph claims that Ten Hag has been aided by four leaders at the club to help him unite a fractured dressing room.

And that leadership group includes captain Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes, David de Gea and perhaps the most surprising name on the list is that of third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton.

Advert

But despite his inclusion, there's no room for Ronaldo.

The report states that Fernandes and Heaton are important figures within the dressing room, having both stepped up to play an important role in the dressing room during last season's turbulent months under Ralf Rangnick.

As for Ronaldo, Ten Hag said the superstar forward is frustrated when he's not playing, but insists he's 'happy' at the club.

Tom Heaton and David de Gea are two influential figures at United. Image: Alamy
Tom Heaton and David de Gea are two influential figures at United. Image: Alamy

Advert

"I don't see that he is unhappy," said the Dutchman ahead of Thursday's Europa League clash against Omonia Nicosia.

"He is happy, he is training well and he is enjoying.

"It has nothing to do with the future, what's happening for January or next year," he added.

"He's not happy that he didn't play Sunday, don't get me wrong, but the question was about his mood in training, where he's happy. Of course, he wants to play and he's p**sed off when he's not playing."

Advert

Ronaldo failed to get on the pitch in his side's 6-3 defeat to Manchester City but could return to the starting XI on Thursday.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Football, Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo, Tom Heaton

Nasir Jabbar
Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

X

@NasJabbar

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
3 hours ago
10 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Second Real Madrid player leaves the club immediately after PSG defeat with huge deal in the works

    Real Madrid were battered by Paris Saint Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup.

    Football
  • 3 hours ago

    Sir Alex Ferguson left 'furious' by 'careless' piece of commentary by Martin Tyler as full story revealed

    Martin Tyler angered Sir Alex Ferguson with his comment on commentary and apologised to the Manchester United legend.

    Football
  • 10 hours ago

    Thibaut Courtois calls out his own Real Madrid teammates as he makes outrageous claim after PSG defeat

    Real Madrid were eliminated from the Club World Cup following their crushing defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

    Football
  • 10 hours ago

    Real Madrid fans turn on two players after embarrassing defeat to PSG in FIFA Club World Cup

    Los Blancos were hammered 4-0 by the Champions League winners.

    Football
  • Sir Alex Ferguson ripped into former Man Utd star for what he allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to do
  • Cristiano Ronaldo aims fresh dig at Man Utd and Erik ten Hag as he speaks out about his future
  • Erik ten Hag's ex-coach aims shock dig at Man Utd manager and all but two players in his squad
  • Marcus Rashford breaks social media silence after Erik ten Hag's sacking but it's not what Man Utd fans expected