Cristiano Ronaldo faces ‘big problem’ as rival holds up Man Utd Atletico Madrid loan

Cristiano Ronaldo has been advised that Antoine Griezmann may have put a stumbling block in his potential loan move to Atletico Madrid. Manchester United are apparently willing to authorize a loan for the Portuguese striker as long as they can exercise the 37-year-contract old’s option for another year and he returns to Old Trafford the following season.

Ronaldo has not dismissed the notion, and despite links to Chelsea and Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid has been identified as a potential temporary landing point for the attacker. The plan would see Ronaldo play in the Champions League, and then maybe return to United the following year to compete in the competition under Erik ten Hag if the Dutch coach can ensure a top-four Premier League result.

Former Chelsea player Craig Burley, though, has spotted one difficulty with Griezmann’s probable move to Atletico Madrid: his contract would need to be altered to match Ronaldo’s wage. “He [Griezmann] makes a lot of money,” Burley told ESPN. “Therein lies the major issue in all of this.” I never imagined I’d say this, but Antoine Griezmann’s move to Barcelona completely ruined him.

“World Cup winner, exciting player, doesn’t really work at Barcelona, laments about the places he was playing in, not getting the best out of him because [Lionel] Messi was still there.”

“Returns to the club where he was tremendously successful and played well, but hasn’t cut it.” Last year, he didn’t make the squad because of injuries, he wasn’t performing well when he was healthy, and he was on the bench. [Diego] Simeone favoured [Joaquin] Correa, [Matheus] Cunha, and Joao Felix at times.

“However, I could see this working at Atletico Madrid.” They have Correa and Cunha who work extremely hard because of the way they play, how they approach the game, and how the management is.

“Joao Felix, a fellow countryman who hasn’t been his best but is highly bright, may bring out the best in him.” Of course, his ambitions aren’t going away.

“Atletico Madrid does that a lot; they soak teams in, then hit them and get balls in the box for him to finish.” “The real question is if United can reach an agreement.”

United return to Carrington early next week, hoping to be joined by Ronaldo, after a successful pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, when Anthony Martial led the line and linked up brilliantly with Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho.