Manchester United head coach – Erik ten Hag has admitted that despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s wish to leave Old Trafford this summer, that the forward is not up for sale.
The former Real Madrid forward isn’t currently in United’s training camp because of personal issues, but Erik ten Hag has claimed that the Portuguese is a part of his ambition in their new campaign.
During his first pre-match press conference prior to Tuesday’s encounter in Thailand against Liverpool, the United manager fielded numerous questions from the media on the 37-year-old and his future at Old Trafford.
Despite Ronaldo’s return to the theatre of dreams the summer before, the team had a dreadful season, going through two coaches, and finishing sixth in the Premier League.
Ronaldo’s alternatives are limited, and United has been steadfast in their desire to keep him, despite the fact that the player recently made it clear through his agents that he wants to leave, in a move to enjoy Champions League football the next season.
As he spoke with the media, Ten Hag stressed this multiple times, explaining that his absence from the preseason tour—which also includes a stop in Australia—was caused by personal issues.
“He’s not with us due to personal issues. We are planning with Cristiano Ronaldo for this season and that’s it. I’m looking forward to working with him. I don’t know how to make him happy, he hasn’t told me this. But Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale, he’s in our plans and we want to get success together.” – Ten Hag said.
Erik Ten Hag: "Cristiano Ronaldo is NOT for sale, he is in our plans – he's not with us due to personal issues. We are planning with Cristiano Ronaldo for this season, that's it". ?? #MUFC
"How to make Cristiano happy? I don't know – I'm looking forward to work with him". pic.twitter.com/8bSRpQbXkI
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 11, 2022
Ten Hag stated that he has spoken with Ronaldo since being appointed manager, but he also made it seem as though they haven’t communicated since the news of his desire to leave the club surfaced at the end of the previous month.
“I spoke with him, but before this issue came up. We had a real good talk, but that is between Cristiano Ronaldo and me. I cannot tell if Ronaldo will join the pre-season tour because of the reasons I’ve already explained,” he said.