Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano provides updates on Manchester United’s plans as Cristiano Ronaldo returns
Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to Manchester, but his future remains unknown, despite Erik ten Hag’s desire for him to stay, according to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Romano provides an update on Ronaldo’s current situation with Manchester United in his latest exclusive CaughtOffside essay on Substack after he asked to depart earlier this month and missed the entirety of the Red Devils’ pre-season trip.
The Portugal international still wants to play in the Champions League next season, but his agent Jorge Mendes has yet to hear from any of Europe’s top clubs.
Erik ten Hag wants to keep Ronaldo at Old Trafford, but nothing has changed, and Mendes is still looking for a way out of Manchester.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is returning to Manchester United, as reported last night.” Nothing has changed: he still wants to leave, and his agent Jorge Mendes is still trying to find a solution, but Erik ten Hag wants to keep him.” Romano elaborates.
“At the moment, I don’t think United has an asking price in mind for Ronaldo.” They are only concerned with planning with him because Erik ten Hag is convinced that he will be critical to the project.
“As for Ronaldo, he still wants a new experience, but nobody in this situation makes it about money.” Mendes has even told clubs that Ronaldo is willing to take a pay cut to join them.
“Unfortunately, making predictions is difficult when not even Cristiano knows what will happen; I am confident, however, that Jorge Mendes will strive to find a solution in the coming weeks unless Ten Hag changes Cristiano’s mind.”
The outcome of this issue is unknown, but it is clear that Manchester United will not sell Ronaldo this summer. Ten Hag is pleased to have the superstar in the squad, but how will the striker play after announcing his wish to leave?
Another intriguing aspect is Ronaldo’s relationship with Manchester United fans and how it has changed this summer. All of these questions may be essential, though, because, as Romano states, Jorge Mendes will undoubtedly try to find a solution in the coming weeks.
