According to a report in Daily TelegraphCristiano Ronaldo will now be allowed to leave Manchester United. Provided he finds a new club.
This second part could be tricky as the clock approaches the summer transfer window.
[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ]
Ronaldo, 37, has wanted to leave all summer and new Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is said to be okay with that. However, reports have said that the United hierarchy wanted to keep Ronaldo at the club and that remains their position.
But the latest report via daily telegraph, Is that Cristiano Ronaldo has been told he can leave Manchester United if he can find a new club. The news comes on the heels of a shock start to the season as United lost their two matches (to Brentford and Brighton after two horrific performances) and Ronaldo seemed uninterested.
Our UK partners in Sky Sports They say Ronaldo “might” be allowed to leave if Erik ten Hag thinks it is better for the team to leave Old Trafford.
Cristiano Ronaldo may be allowed to leave #MUFC This month if Erik ten Hag decides his departure would be better for the club moving forward.pic.twitter.com/izq4a0BMTH
Sky Sports Premier League (SkySportsPL) August 16, 2022
Where can he go?
There are only a few options left if he wants to continue playing in the Champions League, which is the main reason for his desire to leave United.
An emotional return to Sporting Lisbon (Ronaldo will almost certainly have to cut his salary drastically) is one option, while Atletico Madrid are reportedly still interested in bringing Ronaldo back to La Liga.
With Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain apparently no longer available to Ronaldo, it’s possible that the reason he was forced to hang out at the club was because no one was willing to bid on him and no one could afford the wages he is currently charging.
Cristiano Ronaldo status. Jorge Mendes is still working on a solution, a possible last minute transfer as it was a year ago – Cristiano’s priority has always been to leave Manchester United this summer 🚨🇵🇹 #MUFC
Manchester United insist it’s not for sale – Jorge Mendes continues to explore options. pic.twitter.com/DEUEEfX3yr
– Fabrizio Romano August 16, 2022
How will this affect United?
Well, as we saw on Saturday, Ronaldo doesn’t really fit in with Erik ten Hag’s style of play, and although he scored 24 goals in all competitions for the Red Devils last season, his presence in the squad makes the squad’s unity weaker.
It’s crazy to say that because of his incredible consistency and quality over the years, but if you have Ronaldo in your squad, it’s all about him. It is the focal point of your attack and this only works on certain systems.
United looked better in pre-season with a smooth front three from Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, and Ronaldo’s influence in the dressing room is also huge.
Getting him out of that position to help Erik ten Hag bed with a new philosophy and new ideas has always been a smart move and it was mind boggling that United didn’t move Ronaldo early this summer. They are now scrambling to sign a new striker as the likes of Anthony, Jamie Vardy and Matthews Cunha have been linked with a move to United.
“Student. Incurable problem solver. Amateur baconaholic. Introvert. Infuriatingly humble music fanatic.”