Posted: 09:21, August 15, 2022 | Updated: 10:02, 15 August 2022
Erik ten Hag has reportedly changed his mind about Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Manchester United and is now open to letting the striker leave.
The 37-year-old’s future at Old Trafford has been up in the air since he declared his intention to leave the club earlier in the summer following their failure to qualify for the Champions League.
Ten Haag – who became the club’s first manager in 101 years to lose their first two games after a 4-0 drubbing at Brentford on Saturday – has remained adamant throughout the transfer window that Ronaldo remains part of his plans for this season.
Erik ten Haag (right) is now reportedly set to let Cristiano Ronaldo (left) leave Manchester United
Reports claim his difficult reintegration into the United squad is behind his change of heart
However, The Athletic claim the 52-year-old has now changed his mind and is open to letting Ronaldo go, citing his difficult re-integration into the squad after missing most of the pre-season due to family reasons.
The report claims that since returning to the fold, there have been days where Ronaldo sits alone during lunch in the canteen at their Carrington training ground.
The same publication reports that there were also instances of him flapping his hands in training and trying to oppose the high-pressure approach employed by Ten Hag.
Sportsmail understands that while Ronaldo is said to be training well, he exchanged words with Ten Hague No.2 Steve McClaren at the final whistle after he refused to applaud the traveling United fans and there is a sense that his mood is having a negative impact on the outfit. room.
Ronaldo sometimes lunches alone at Carrington and has railed against the Ten Hag’s approach
However, United rejected suggestions that Ronaldo’s contract could be voided and reiterated that he is staying at the club.
Athletic insist United will only consider selling the Portugal international if they can recruit in forward areas, which have struggled this summer and their need has been exacerbated by Anthony Martial’s injury.
The options for Ronaldo appear slim, with a host of clubs opting out of a move for the Portuguese this summer.
United had made a £7.5m bid for former West Ham and Stoke striker Marko Arnautovic last week, before deciding to walk away from a potential deal for the Bologna star following a huge backlash from fans.
Another player United were linked with was RB Salzburg star Benjamin Sesko, but the club were beaten out of a deal for the promising Slovenian by RB Leipzig, while Alvaro Morata is also a rumored target.
Ten Haag became the club’s first manager in 101 years to lose his first two games
They have now reportedly made contact with PSG striker Mauro Icardi’s representatives through intermediaries.
Icardi has been left out of PSG’s squad for their opening two Ligue 1 games this season and manager Christophe Galtier has confirmed the 29-year-old is free to leave.
United are interested in the Argentine striker and Icardi wants to move to Old Trafford, according to Get French Football News.
However, PSG are understood to feel that Icardi is not United’s top target and the Red Devils have yet to make direct contact with the French champions.
United have contacted Mauro Icardi’s entourage over a possible move to Old Trafford
