United star Ronaldo set for loan exit
Europe – with Atletico Madrid interested in the Portuguese.
Ronaldo would then return to Old Trafford next summer to see out a final campaign – with United hopeful they will be in the Champions League by then.
Senior United officials aren’t banking on a successful first year under new boss Erik ten Hag but there’s an expectation that they should be able to compete for a top-four finish.
That would offer Ronaldo the chance to extend his Champions League love affair with one more season in Europe’s elite competition before a final hurrah, possibly in the MLS in America.
It’s a bargaining chip that’s said to have taken Mendes and Ronaldo by surprise – but it’s not been rejected as yet.
It would also satisfy headline sponsors like Team Viewer, who are disappointed Ronaldo wants to leave after just one season.
Ronaldo is still big box office around the world and United’s sponsors, especially those with a Far East presence, want to maximise their exposure.
It’s believed United have not had any offers for Ronaldo who has a market value of £27m, which is based on factors including fitness, experience and commercial value.
United’s public stance is to continue to insist Ronaldo must stay and fulfil his contractual obligations. But, privately, they acknowledge it would be difficult and potentially disruptive to Ten Hag’s plans to keep an unhappy player.
The new boss is working hard to create a better harmony within the dressing room after divisions, disputes and cliques disrupted last season. The early signs are that he is succeeding.
Ten Hag arrives back in Manchester with his squad today after they ended their tour of Asia and Australia with a 2-2 draw against
Aston Villa yesterday, having already beaten Liverpool 4-0, Melbourne Victory 4-1 and Crystal Palace 3-1.
He has planned another tough week of intense conditioning and tactical sessions before they fly to Norway to face Atletico Madrid at the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo on Saturday.