Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has insisted that Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘happy’ to be staying at the club this season, despite asking to leave during the summer.
United failed to qualify for this season’s Champions League, prompting Ronaldo to ask the club to consider any offers that came. It sparked a long running transfer saga, with agent Jorge Mendes still exploring options for a potential exit until the last few days.
Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid were among those thinking about an approach before ruling themselves out, while Sporting CP and Napoli rose to the fore more recently.
But as time in the summer transfer window expires, Ronaldo will at least be seeing out the final year of his contract at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag said he has spoken to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner ‘several times’.
The boss said, “We are on the same page. [He is happy to stay] otherwise he wouldn’t be here. From the start we said we planned with Ronaldo, we are happy with him, he’s happy to be here, and we want to make the season a success together.”
United will complete the signing of Antony before the transfer deadline, having announced a deal with Ajax already. The Brazilian winger is the club’s fifth new arrival of the Ten Hag era after Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro.
“It’s a signal, yes, but all the big clubs in the Premier League have spent a lot, so it’s the market,” Ten Hag said. “It’s clear we have strengthened the squad. As a manager you always want more, and what I demand from my players I have to show as well. I always want to maximise, but at a certain point you have to be satisfied with what is there.”
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