Cristiano Ronaldo in danger of footballing exile – options are running out and his presence can only drag Man Utd down
CRISTIANO RONALDO is in danger of entering football exile.
The clock is ticking down to the big kick-off.
He does not want to stay at Manchester United. The club are playing hardball on not letting him go.
The major players, in terms of Champions League possibilities, are not exactly kicking down agent Jorge Mendes’ door.
Mendes claims he has a deal in place if United give him a figure to trigger a move. Who that club are is not clear.
It was thought Sir Alex Ferguson’s visit to United’s Carrington HQ this week as the Portugal superstar returned to training was a bid to talk the player round.
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He was there for other reasons and just said a quick “hello” to Ron and Mendes.
Fergie knows when the time is up… yes, he persuaded Ronaldo to stay another year when he wanted out in 2008.
That was because he knew he had someone at the top of his game who agreed with the private deal and would give his all, before eventually leaving for Real Madrid 12 months later.
That is not the case now… the 37-year-old’s continued presence while wanting to move elsewhere can only drag people down.
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Can you imagine training when such a huge figure in football is there, yet his team-mates all know he does not want to play with them in the coming season.
A player who believes those around him are not good enough to take him where he wants to go.
So it is difficult to see how he can train with the first-team squad as they prepare for their Premier League opener at home to Brighton a week on Sunday.
At the same time, how can a player like Ronaldo just hang around while not playing?
And for their part, United do not want to be seen being pushed around by someone they brought back to such great acclaim 11 months ago.
It is not a good look when your biggest name wants out after less than a year, which is why there have been talks to try change his mind.
When Ronaldo and Mendes had a meeting at Carrington this week, United’s hierarchy were stunned at the suggestion they should let the player leave on a free, just like that, because of his “loyalty” to the club.
After all, this is the second time he has looked to engineer a move.
He watched from the sidelines for a behind-closed-doors friendly against Wrexham on Wednesday.
After Ronaldo missed the pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, citing family reasons, that would have been the perfect opportunity for him to get up to speed.
Perhaps Erik ten Hag simply wants to work with players committed to him and his vision of the future.
But the issue still circles round United’s new boss… at every pre-season press engagement it was brought up and he must wish it would all go away.
IMPRESSIVE ERIK
Ten Hag has made big strides since being named manager. The former Ajax man is impressive to meet, listen to and witness in action.
United have rarely looked so sharp in pre-season, winning three games and drawing one, albeit against limited opposition.
Players who had lost their way were alive again. Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho and Diogo Dalot were standout performers.
To think Martial was on his way after an unsuccessful loan spell with Sevilla last season.
But Ten Hag saw something in him he felt he could reignite and three goals in three games followed.
Even Eric Bailly was bringing the ball out from the back to start moves to set-up goals.
After the signings of Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia, United need another forward and a defensive midfielder.
Ten Hag said as much on tour but the pursuits of Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong and winger Antony from his former club Ajax are dragging on.
But you sense the gaffer has a handle on it. Most impressively, he is not asking fans to give him time as the season approaches.
He says it will take time for the team to play exactly how he wants but before that they must find a way to get results.
And he has been planning to find it without Ronaldo.
A tweet asking United fans what should be done and had the player tainted his legacy, got a mixed response.
Few want to totally turn on him but there was a sense of having lost respect.
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The overwhelming feeling was, however, that United need to let him go and just get on with it.
Right now, that is not happening. And that is a bigger problem for Ronaldo than the club.