Last summer, talk of Cristiano Ronaldo’s future dominated the transfer market. This summer looks to be no different.
In a report by TalkSPORT’s Joe Moore it has been stated that Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘losing faith’ in Manchester United’s ability to deliver silverware next season, with one TalkSPORT pundit even going as far as to ask why he would want to remain at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo’s return has not been the fairy-tale ending fans had hoped for, and it could be meeting a premature end soon with the Portuguese forward becoming more and more distressed with his club’s lack of activity in the transfer market.
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Already, reports have come out of the player being offered to Bayern Munich by the advisors of his agent, Jorge Mendes. The Bavarian giants quickly rejected the opportunity to sign the player, meaning he will remain in Manchester for now but he has issued an ultimatum to the club, telling them ‘up your game or I’ll leave’.
Naturally, the club will not want to lose their top scorer from last season, it will reflect very badly on them given the number seven’s status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
If he does leave United, based on his second stint at the club he will be joining what seems to be an ever growing list of high-profile footballers who it didn’t work out for at Old Trafford.
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At some point, it has to be questioned just how much you can blame the players.
Ronaldo has been far from perfect, he even took a few months in 2022 to score a goal.
But the inability of even one of football’s elites to succeed this time around is a consequence of poor squad building from five separate managers, who each hold different footballing ideals to one another.
Erik ten Hag will be the sixth permanent manager the club has seen in the past ten years.
The Dutchman comes with a clear footballing philosophy, something that the club has been lacking, and Ronaldo has stated that United “need to give him time.” He also said that “Things need to change the way he wants. I hope we have success, of course, because, if you have success, all of Manchester is going to have success as well. I wish him the best.
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"We are happy and excited, not only as players, but the supporters as well. I wish him the best and let’s believe that, next year, we are going to win trophies.”
Privately, however, Ronaldo reportedly harbours concerns about Ten Hag’s ability to bring silverware to Old Trafford, with the lack of transfer activity proving to be frustrating for the player.
TalkSPORT’s Trevor Sinclair sympathises with the Portugal captain, criticising United’s squad and claiming they’re “not going to get anywhere near top four.”
The former England international continued, “This might be the year where he says, ‘You know what, I’ve loved running the show in European football for the last 20 years, I might want to go over to America and enjoy my life’.
"I’m not saying that is the case, but why would you want to be at Manchester United with the current squad they’ve got, fighting against top, top teams and getting beat left, right and centre?
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“I don’t think Ronaldo wants another year like that, and I think he’s right to be agitated and putting a bit of pressure on Manchester United.”
The club will undoubtedly be looking to keep Ronaldo, with the departure of Edinson Cavani leaving their striker department paper thin. His situation is very much worth keeping an eye on over the coming week or two.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Transfers, Cristiano Ronaldo, Premier League, Football