Two months on from informing Erik ten Hag and the club’s hierarchy that he wants to leave to join a club offering Champions League football opportunities, Cristiano Ronaldo has had no choice but to give up the ghost on his desire to leave Manchester United after failing to seal a transfer on deadline day.
And a hopefully chastened Ronaldo is now allegedly ‘motivated’ to help United have a successful season after failing to secure a deadline-day transfer to AC Milan in the Serie A.
It was only two months ago the 37-year-old megastar couldn’t wait to make his exit but it is now confirmed he will definitely remain a Red Devil at least until January. after the transfer window slammed down on his hopes.
His last glimmer of hope at the eleventh hour came from San Siro, with MEN reporting that a theory had emerged that Milan could make a move for the
United legend if they lost Rafael Leao, who’d been tipped to join Chelsea. However, the 23-year-old forward – coincidentally a teammate of Ronaldo’s at international level for Portugal – was a tad too expensive for the Blues as AC had slapped an exorbitant £130m price tag on Leao’s head.
With the negotiations quickly aborted, Milan no longer needed to prepare a replacement for Leao and Ronaldo was again left without a suitor after suffering rejection from Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Napoli earlier in the window.
It’s actually hard to imagine how someone with the massive ego of the Portugal star could handle such a massive rejection and disappointment that could emotionally cripple a lesser personality. Red Devils supporters, or at least those clamoring for him to stay, should at least be pleased to learn that the Old Trafford icon is reportedly ready to settle down in Manchester for another campaign.
The latest report is from Sky Sport Italia, claiming that Ronaldo has warmed to the idea of playing for United in the Europa League this term, which really kind of stretches one’s imagination, considering his over-riding desire to maintain his record of being the all-time top goalscorer in the Champions League. Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport added fuel to fire saying that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is now ‘resigned’ to staying put at Old Trafford.
The boisterous grand reception that had greeted and welcomed Ronaldo last season upon his return had long faded into the past and this time, on transfer deadline day, he was relegated to the bench by Red Devils boss Eril ten Hag for the third game running. United travelled to Leicester City and made it three wins from as many Premier League matches, with Marcus Rashford retaining his starting place up front and Ronaldo having to be contented with a 26-minute cameo.
Ten Hag, diplomatic as always, still insists that the former Real Madrid and Juventus talisman remains part of his plans, though, and confirmed that Ronaldo has accepted his predicament after further talks regarding his immediate future.
“[We have spoken] several times, yeah. We are on one page,” the Dutch tactician told a pre-match news conference. “Otherwise he [wouldn’t be] here.”
Ten Hag added when asked if the goalscorer supreme could adapt into his system:
“The way of play sets the demands. You can see in training it’s clear that he has the capabilities. So he will fit in because he’s – I don’t have to explain – a great player. He has great capabilities, so he will fit in every system or in every style.”
Yet for now the great CR7 will still be consigned to the bench.