Cristiano Ronaldo’s Desire to Leave Manchester United
I know you’re eager to hear the latest development concerning Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Manchester United. Hold on tight, because it seems like the Portuguese superstar is adamant about leaving the club this summer. Despite holding talks with manager Erik ten Hag and legendary United icon Sir Alex Ferguson at the club’s Carrington base, Ronaldo remains firm in his decision.
Talks and Negotiations
Ronaldo recently returned to Manchester to meet with United’s decision-makers, indicating his intentions to discuss his future at the club. However, the club hierarchy has been vocal in asserting that Ronaldo is not for sale. In contrast, ten Hag, the manager, informed the media that he is preparing for the upcoming season with Ronaldo as a key part of his plans.
Nevertheless, Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes continue to explore options on the market. Although informal talks with Atletico Madrid have stalled, other top European clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea have also decided against pursuing Ronaldo’s services when they were offered by Mendes.
According to reports from The Athletic, negotiations have reached an initial phase with Ronaldo’s first professional club, Sporting Lisbon. The Portuguese side is tempting him with Champions League football, having secured their place in the group stage after finishing second in Portugal last season. Ronaldo is eager to continue chasing personal records at the highest level, which is one of the main reasons behind his request to leave United. It’s worth noting that United, after finishing in sixth place in the 2021-22 season, will only be playing in the Europa League starting in September.
However, it remains to be seen how Sporting will manage to fulfill Ronaldo’s high wage demands if they were to sign him.
Ronaldo’s Potential Involvement
For now, it’s unlikely that Ronaldo will feature in United’s friendly against Atletico Madrid in Oslo on Saturday. However, he could potentially make an appearance a day later when United faces Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford. Despite training individually in Portugal while the team was on their preseason tour in Asia and Australia, Ronaldo is said to be fit and ready to play.
Ronaldo’s Response to Media Speculation
Amidst all the speculation surrounding his future, Ronaldo couldn’t resist sharing his thoughts on the matter. In a post on Instagram, he expressed his frustration and called out the media for spreading what he perceives as ‘lies’.
“Impossible not to talk about me for one day,” he wrote. “Otherwise, the press makes no money. You know that if you don’t lie, you can’t get people’s attention. Keep going like that, and one day you’ll get some news right.”
Ronaldo’s sister, Elma Aveiro, also took to social media to defend her brother against the rumors. She shared a post from a fan that conveyed unwavering support for Ronaldo, assuring that he will silence his critics in due time.
What the Bookies Say
If you’re curious about the odds and predictions, bookmakers seem to believe that Ronaldo will ultimately stay at Manchester United even after the transfer window closes at the beginning of September. His odds of staying at Old Trafford currently stand at -230. Interestingly, Sporting Lisbon has emerged as the most probable transfer destination for Ronaldo if he does decide to leave this summer, with odds of +300. Atletico Madrid’s odds have fallen to +750. Chelsea follows at +1100, while Bayern Munich and Juventus stand at +1400.
Ronaldo’s Impact at United
Last season, Cristiano Ronaldo proved his worth by becoming United’s top goal-scorer, netting an impressive 24 goals across all competitions. The 37-year-old superstar is currently tied to the club until 2023, but it remains to be seen whether he will extend his stay or pursue a new challenge elsewhere.
