Posted: 23:34, July 4, 2022 | Updated: 23:34, July 4, 2022
Gary Neville has warned Manchester United that they must resolve Cristiano Ronaldo’s future as soon as possible to prevent it turning into a saga that could disrupt their season.
Ronaldo has dropped a bombshell on the club insisting he wants out of Old Trafford in a desperate bid to continue playing Champions League football.
Although United are unwilling to sell the forward, the news will be a huge headache for new boss Erik ten Hag, who already has a big call to make in just his first few days on the job following his summer move from Ajax .
Cristiano Ronaldo has told Manchester United he wants to leave to play in the Champions League
The only important factor in Ronaldo’s situation is that it is dealt with decisively and quickly. This cannot be a saga that takes the focus away from the ETH bed during the period for the next couple of months.
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) July 4, 2022
Ten Haag has plenty of issues to sort out at United, who suffered one of their worst Premier League performances last season, missing out on the top four and missing out on a Europa League spot on the final day alone, amid a fractured dressing room. behind the scenes under interim boss Ralf Rangnick and previous manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who was sacked earlier in the campaign.
Neville insists that with Ten Haag still trying to settle in at Old Trafford, Ronaldo’s future needs to be dealt with quickly in any way possible so that the Dutchman’s first few weeks at the club are not significantly hampered.
“The only important factor in Ronaldo’s situation is that it is dealt with decisively and swiftly,” the club’s legendary right-back tweeted.
Gary Neville insists United must deal with Ronaldo quickly to prevent saga
“This cannot be a saga that takes the focus away from the ETH bed during the period for the next couple of months.”
Ronaldo returned to United for a second spell last season from Juventus to huge fanfare having previously starred from 2003-2009 where he won three Premier League titles as well as the Champions League.
But despite his record 24 goals in 38 games, his performances could not prevent United from dropping out of the Champions League, as well as the top four en route to a sixth place finish.
Ronaldo has yet to report on pre-season training at Carrington, with “family reasons” cited as reasons why he remained in Lisbon, as opposed to returning to his team-mates for the 2022-23 season.
Erik ten Hag has a big appeal to make in just his first few days in charge at Old Trafford
However, it appears he is still keen to maintain his fitness after reportedly attending Portugal’s national team training center on Monday.
The 37-year-old will likely have plenty of suitors to lure him away from Old Trafford if he gets his wish to leave the club, including Chelsea according to the Athletic.
The outlet reported last month that Boehly had met with Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes and that a Stamford Bridge surprise was among the topics discussed.
Those talks have now reportedly resumed between the pair, with fellow director Behdad Eghbali understood to be interested in landing what would be a sensational move.
