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For all of the positivity emanating from Manchester United this summer time, there might be just one matter dominating Erik ten Hag’s first Carrington information convention on Friday.
Cristiano Ronaldo‘s future, nearly actually, might be high of the agenda. Then, questions on his early exit following the pleasant towards Rayo Vallecano. Subsequent, there’s prone to be an enquiry about Ten Hag’s animated touchline dialog with Ronaldo in the course of the 1-1 draw with the Spanish facet on Sunday, earlier than the talk strikes on to the Portuguese striker’s position within the workforce this season. Everybody is aware of that he can rating, however can he press? Or, extra pertinently, does he need to?
Ten Hag made some extent in the course of the preseason tour of Thailand and Australia of placing soccer earlier than some other distractions, however with Ronaldo again on the town — marked by his “Sunday, the king is again” social media posts — that’s simpler stated than executed.
Setting to 1 facet the polarising opinions about whether or not Ronaldo the participant has helped or hindered United since his return to the membership a yr in the past, there might be little doubt that the noise across the 37-year-old this summer time is one thing Ten Hag, newly put in as supervisor, may do with out. Nonetheless, there stays some confusion round Outdated Trafford about the way it has reached this level in any respect.
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Ronaldo’s representatives, led by agent Jorge Mendes, have let or not it’s identified he needs to go away citing a need to play within the Champions League. However in Could, with United already out of the working for a spot within the high 4, Ronaldo was happy to do an interview about Ten Hag’s appointment and his hopes for the brand new season.
“What I find out about him is he did a incredible job for Ajax, that he is an skilled coach,” he stated. “We’re pleased and excited, not solely as gamers, however the supporters as effectively. I want him the most effective and let’s consider that, subsequent yr, we’re going to win trophies.”
In keeping with sources, Ronaldo does not comply with interviews simply — even with MUTV, the membership’s in-house tv station — and so it was curious to some employees members {that a} month later he had modified his tune.
With a yr left on his contract and a weekly wage in extra of £500,000, there are these at United who consider Ronaldo by no means anticipated to maneuver; as a substitute, the risk is designed to stress the Glazers into displaying extra ambition within the switch market. It has been considered as important, for instance, that he performed a prepared position in United’s media day at Carrington on Tuesday and though he did not participate in any interviews, he visited each broadcaster’s station to pose within the shirt. Sources have advised ESPN that he did not give the impression of somebody who has already checked out.
To this point, United have insisted Ronaldo shouldn’t be on the market, some extent emphasised greater than as soon as by Ten Hag, who has even prompt his contract could possibly be prolonged past the tip of subsequent season. There are query marks about whether or not Ronaldo suits the Dutchman’s model — he says he needs his workforce to “press all day,” and the stats present Ronaldo does not do this — however to let him depart can be to take away assured targets from a workforce that doesn’t rating many.
Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have each had 20-goal seasons, however managed simply six final time period between them. Sources have advised ESPN that United checked out signing Darwin Nunez, however when he selected to affix Liverpool, they switched their focus to discovering a “versatile” ahead who can play throughout the entrance line relatively than an out-and-out No. 9. There may be curiosity in Ajax’s Antony and Pink Bull Salzburg Benjamin Sesko, however in each instances valuations are proving problematic.
Even with Ronaldo reintegrated into the squad, Ten Hag believes he is nonetheless one attacking participant brief. Talking final week, Ten Hag stated that after a summer time coaching alone whereas he handled a “household subject,” Ronaldo is “undoubtedly not on the extent of our present squad,” and as issues stand, will probably be Martial main the road towards Brighton on Sunday. The Frenchman has impressed in the course of the summer time schedule, however final scored a aggressive aim for United in October and struggled on mortgage at Sevilla final season.
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Ten Hag has dealt admirably with the Ronaldo sideshow, however the circus has kicked up a notch since his return to Manchester final week. Ralf Rangnick discovered throughout his time in cost that Ronaldo is not afraid to place stress on his supervisor. Sources have advised ESPN that on one event, he requested Rangnick to vary his techniques to include one other striker in an effort to copy a system he thought had suited his strengths at Juventus. Rangnick refused, and it didn’t go down effectively with United’s No.7.
Of all of the challenges dealing with Ten Hag, managing Ronaldo — each within the dressing room and on the pitch — might be one of many largest. The United boss wants Ronaldo’s targets, however not one of the fuss, if he will make his first yr at Outdated Trafford successful.
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