The future of Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United was always going to have a big impact on the club this summer; however this impact may have just become greater.
With Cristiano Ronaldo requesting to leave Manchester United this summer due to concerns about a lack of Champions League football and transfer activity, the club’s targets this transfer window just got wider.
New United boss Erik ten Hag has already stated he wants at least five signings this transfer window, and if Cristiano Ronaldo were to leave the club, this would only increase the number of players the manager would need to sustain a solid squad going into the 2022/23 season.
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One common theme with the club’s targets so far is that a lot of the players have ties to either Ajax or Dutch football in general, such as new signing Tyrell Malacia.
Another target who Erik ten Hag has personally requested is Brazilian and Ajax winger, Antony.
Antony had an impressive season under Ten Hag last season at Ajax, and with Manchester United crying out for a right-sided player to help balance the front line, Antony fits the bill.
However, Ajax are requesting at least 70 million for the winger, and with the club also requesting at least 50 million for defender Lisandro Martinez as well, the pair of players are reportedly putting pressure on Ajax to accept the next offers that Manchester United put in for them.
However, the latest reports suggest that in fact Manchester United are yet to discuss Antony with Ajax, as they are waiting to see how the future of Cristiano Ronaldo plays out.
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It makes sense, with Ronaldo being a key part of the attacking line up, that a decision on who to sign should not be made before his future is settled.
Erik ten Hag reportedly wants Ronaldo’s future to be settled quickly, most presumably because it is causing unnecessary and added drama to both the summer window and pre-season, with Ronaldo not flying on the plane to Bangkok after having to stay behind in England for family reasons.
Ronaldo has been linked with a move to Chelsea more than anywhere else so far this summer, however last night it was reported that manager Thomas Tuchel is not too keen on the 37-year-old forward.
It is expected that Cristiano Ronaldo will still link up with the rest of the squad at some point during the pre-season tour, however a time frame for this is yet to be established – however it is likely that should Ronaldo join the squad, it would be while they are in Australia.
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Another man who will likely join the squad during their tour of Australia is Christian Eriksen.
After a contract was verbally agreed between the player and club, all that is now left is for contracts to be signed and a medical to be completed before the Dane can be officially named a Manchester United player.
Manchester United have reportedly sent contracts to his lawyers and are simply waiting for the relevant people to put pen to paper, and hope to conclude the deal next week, potentially seeing Eriksen make his unofficial debut for the club as soon as Friday, against Melbourne Victory.
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After this, the club are set to play two more sides in Australia before heading back to Europe. Fixtures against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa are followed by one against Atletico Madrid in Oslo, before a final fixture against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford on 31 July sees ‘Tour 2022’ come to a close.
The club will then face Brighton & Hove Albion on 7 August as part of the opening weekend of the Premier League season, where Erik ten Hag will make his official bow into English football.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Cristiano Ronaldo, Antony, Ajax, Erik Ten Hag, Christian Eriksen, Football, Transfers
