Manchester United fear that they face a battle to keep hold of Cristiano Ronaldo, with the star expected to quit at the end of the season amidst interest from some European giants.
What’s the story?
The Portuguese veteran rejoined the Red Devils on a two-year contract last summer and has the option of a third year. His second spell at United has come with difficulties, though, as the club have struggled to find form in a season filled with inconsistency.
Despite this, Ronaldo has impressed at the age of 37, chipping in with 21 goal contributions (18 goals, three assists) in 33 appearances, but United’s prospective failure to secure Champions League football could prove fatal in their bid to keep hold of their talisman.
According to Football Insider, there is an “expectation at the top of the club” that Ronaldo will leave at the end of the season, with Portuguese giants Porto looking to lure him back to his homeland in a move which could see him link up with fellow countryman and former Real Madrid team-mate Pepe.
It gets even worse for United fans, with the expectation that Ronaldo’s departure could be along the grounds of a free transfer due to his vast wages, which would save the club around £25m per year.
United must keep Ronaldo
Even at the age of 37, Ronaldo has impressed in what has been a difficult time for Manchester United and their supporters. His six Champions League goals proved vital for a Red Devils side which just fell short against Spanish giants Athletico Madrid in the round of 16, whilst his match-winning hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur last month was the epitome of his importance to this United side.
With ongoing links to possession-heavy managers such as Erik Ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino, United should do everything they can to keep hold of the Portuguese icon, who has been hailed as “phenomenal” by former Nigeria captain Sunday Oliseh.
Despite an impressive scoring record, Ronaldo has occasionally lacked service from team-mates this season and has been an isolated figure at times. It goes without saying that the appointment of a manager with a high-possession philosophy and emphasis on the creation of big chances should benefit Ronaldo’s prospects of contributing even more in the final third.
He is still United’s leading scorer by some distance in 2021/22, so if he were allowed to leave so swiftly on a free transfer, the Old Trafford fan base would be fuming at the club for letting go of a mercurial talent so easily.
In other news – Sky Sports drop big MUFC manager update from sources close to Ten Hag
