Erik ten Hag will allow Cristiano Ronaldo to leave this summer if Manchester United are able to find a suitable forward alternative before the window closes, according to The Athletic.
The Portugal captain’s ongoing concerns at United appear more prominent following the club’s poor start to the season, with reports detailing how the star looks more out of place than ever.
Erik ten Hag Changes View on Cristiano Ronaldo Exit; Portugal Star Eating Alone at Carrington
Cristiano Ronaldo Has Been Actively Seeking a New Club
News broke of Ronaldo’s desire to leave United at the beginning of July and the 37-year-old played no part in the club’s pre-season tour of Oceania and Asia due to family matters. His agent has since been working to find a suitable destination for the player – with Champions League football the priority aim.
The five-time Champions League winner was offered to the likes of Chelsea, Napoli, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, yet no side showed interest.
Read More: Erik ten Hag Accepts Manchester United Changes After Brentford Capitulation
The forward returned to Manchester on July 25 to hold talks with United regarding his future and despite Ronaldo making his intentions of a transfer clear, Erik ten Hag and his team reiterated that they expected him to stay and play a key role in their forthcoming season.
He faced backlash from the Red Devils fans as well as his manager when he, along with others, was spotted leaving Old Trafford before the final whistle of their friendly game vs. Rayo Vallecano, in which he played 45 minutes.
United Pick up Their Seventh Competitive Away Loss in a Row and Sit Bottom of the Premier League
United’s dismal start to the 2022/2023 campaign will have only furthered Ronaldo’s anguish at being part of these lacklustre performances. A 2-1 home loss to Brighton & Hove Albion seemed bad enough, but to then concede four goals to Brentford in 35 minutes and now sit rock bottom of the league in 20th place perfectly encapsulates the rut the club are in at the moment.
Read more: Erik ten Hag Lays Down the Law at Manchester United With Strict Response to Brentford Embarrassment
Reports have detailed how the five-time Ballon D’Or winner has been spotted “eating lunch alone in the canteen at Carrington” and seen “flapping his arms about in training and attempting to argue against the high-pressing approach favoured by the new manager.”
Sources close to the Manchester club have also shared how “Ronaldo has been afforded greater leeway than his peers and indulged beyond the contribution he is currently providing to the club.”
Read more: Every Premier League Transfer Completed in Summer 2022
Biggest Game of the Season up Next for Erik ten Hag’s Men
On Monday, August 22, United will face rivals Liverpool in an evening clash at Old Trafford. Last season saw Jurgen Klopp’s squad complete a double over United, with an aggregate score of 9-0.
With Ten Hag’s side looking unable to even link an attack together, the chances of another embarrassment thrashing seem high for Ronaldo and his peers.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been arguing against Erik ten Hag's high pressing methods in training, and eating alone in the Man Utd canteen
[The Athletic] pic.twitter.com/likeUJXyEH
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) August 15, 2022
