Cristiano Ronaldo’s early lofty plans to leave Manchester United to further perpetuate his Champions League legacy have bombed in his face after just one club made him a formal offer, and now the Portugal star is left with no other alternatives but to complete the season at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo is set to remain at Old Trafford\u00a0after the transfer deadline day had lapsed after receiving just one bona fide transfer offer this summer from a Saudi Arabian club. The 37-year-old\u00a0 Portugal international had been pressing urgently to leave United in pursuit of more goals to cement his Champions League goal-scoring record in staying ahead of arch rival Lionel Messi.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately for him, the way things have worked out, United will be competing instead in the much lesser Europa League this season after finishing sixth in the Premier League\u00a0last term, after having recorded their lowest points total (58) in 32 years.<\/p>\n
According to The Athletic<\/em>, only one formal approach was made for Ronaldo this summer, coming from Saudi Arabian outfit Al Hilal, which the Portuguese star hastily rejected as he cherishes no intentions to leave European football. It’s believed Al Hilal remain interested, purported offering . to pay Ronaldo \u00a3211million over two years – which is just over \u00a32m per week. It was claimed that club were also willing to pay Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, \u00a317m in commission. But the move never materialised.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The latest news is that with Ronaldo having no options but to stay at Old Trafford and accept another season and square up for the Europa League, it’s claimed staff at United’s Carrington training ground have ‘detected a positive change in his attitude’<\/em> after the bitter reality of being firmly grounded in Manchester was finally accepted by the player.<\/p>\n Undoubtedly one of the greatest footballers of all time, winning seven league titles across three different countries and five Champions Leagues, CR7 is also a five-time Ballon d’Or winner and is also only just two goals away from scoring his 700th at club level.<\/p>\n Ronaldo rejoined United from Juventus\u00a012 months ago and scored 24 goals in all competitions last term. Despite his prolific form, the Red Devils struggled under Norwegian Ole Gunnar Solskjaer\u00a0and his interim successor Ralf Rangnick – with some placing the blame on Ronaldo.<\/p>\n Rangnick was replaced by Ten Hag at the beginning of the summer and some have speculated whether Ronaldo will remain a key player. Critics have suggested Ronaldo no longer has the dynamism required to excel in the Dutchman’s intense systems.<\/p>\n “That’s clear, of course,” said Ten Hag when asked if Ronaldo is staying at United on Wednesday.<\/p>\n “I just said we need quality players, and you need more to cover all the games, to keep the consistency going – that is what we strive for.”<\/p>\n With Ronaldo’s future all but confirmed, the veteran will be hoping for a recall to the starting XI for United’s game against Leicester\u00a0at the King Power Stadium on Thursday evening. The Red Devils have won their last two games, against Liverpool\u00a0and Southampton.<\/p>\n Those victories came following a shocking start to the season. United lost their opening fixtures against Brighton\u00a0and Brentford, with the latter team recording a 4-0 win over Ten Hag’s side. Ronaldo is yet to score from his four appearances this term.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"