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It’s better if Ronaldo leaves Man United
Rumours about Cristiano Ronaldo are intensifying every minute.
Just as United is getting used to the methods of new manager Erik Ten Haag, came the first signal that not everything is alright.
As per reports, Ronaldo missed the training session yesterday.
He was about to meet with Erik Ten Hag in their first official meeting.
However, due to ‘family reasons’, he had taken a leave from the training program.
The Portuguese legend’s absence raised questions over his future amid rumors that he is set to leave the club.
What is Ronaldo worried about?
Ronaldo re-joined for United last August in a deal worth just under �20m from Juventus and scored 24 goals in 38 games.
Yet, many times, he cut a frustrated figure as the team faltered under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and then Ralf Rangnick to finish sixth.
The 37-year-old feels the urge to win even more in the twilight of his career.
However, he feels that may not be possible at Old Trafford next season.
Ronaldo is worried that United are yet to make any improvements to the squad in the current transfer window.
Thirteen players have left the club this summer but none have yet arrived.
United are close to deals for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong and Feyenoord left-back Tyrell Malacia and also want to sign Ajax centre-back Lisandro Martinez.
However, nothing is finalized which is a big cause of concern for Ronaldo.
According to reliable sources, Ronaldo has asked to leave United officially.
Expectedly, United have responded that he is not for sale and expect him to see out the remainder of his contract, which expires in the summer of 2023.
The 2021/22 campaign was the fifth in succession in which Manchester United failed to win a trophy.
Another big issue is that Ronaldo will not play Champions League football and will have to content with the Europa League.
To a person like Ronaldo, who still looks at himself as the world’s best player, this is unacceptable.
The Portugal international has never played in the Europa League.
He last played in its predecessor, the UEFA Cup when he was at Sporting Lisbon in the 2002/03 season.
Where will he go next?
There are reports that Ronaldo’s manager Jorge Mendis had already made a move and offered the 37-year-old striker’s service to Juventus.
Apparently, Juventus have not totally ruled out having star footballer in their side.
But there are doubts over whether they would be able to complete a deal.
Also, there has been no official bid for Ronaldo yet.
The only other club that can sign Ronaldo is PSG, a mouth-watering prospect that will see the Portuguese star line up with his great rival Messi.
What should Ronaldo do?
Ronaldo has to think short-term at 37, conscious that he can only hope to have three or four more years left at the highest level.
He also has a World Cup with Portugal in November to consider.
United, meanwhile, have to plan long-term under Ten Hag.
Rebuilding a faded empire requires a patience that the trophy-hunting Ronaldo may not be ready for.
Hi best bet is to tag him himself to a club that desperately needs a goal-scorer, like Chelsea or Bayern Munich.
All said and done, Ronaldo and United might be stuck with each other for 12 more months.
However, it looks increasingly clear that these two would be better off with an amicable split.