Fabrizio Romano has posted a new video explaining Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract situation at Manchester United.
It’s now well-established in media reports that Ronaldo wants to leave Old Trafford, while his agent Jorge Mendes has spent the summer looking for a potential destination that can offer Champions League football.
But with the likes of Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid all ruled out, the likelihood of the 37-year-old striker leaving United this summer appears to be diminishing.
Romano has previously reported that there are offers on the table from Saudi Arabia and MLS, but Ronaldo ideally wants to remain in Europe’s premier club competition.
After missing the club’s pre-season tour, in which there were encouraging signs for new boss Erik ten Hag, Ronaldo has since returned to join the squad.
He made his first appearance of the season off the bench in a 2-0 home defeat to Brighton and made his first start of the campaign in Saturday’s shocking 4-0 loss at Brentford.
The Portugal international’s body language did not suggest he’s happy at United, while he didn’t shake Ten Hag’s hand or acknowledge the travelling supporters after trudging off the pitch at the Brentford Community Stadium.
Later in the weekend, reports emerged that United are exploring the possibility of terminating the superstar’s contract. The Athletic cites sources close to United who argue that “Ronaldo has been afforded greater leeway than his peers and indulged beyond the contribution he is currently providing to the club”.
He’s now into the second year of a two-year deal he signed when returning to the club last summer and is thought to be the highest-paid player in the Premier League.
So what’s next for United and Ronaldo? Could his contract really be terminated?
“Guys, the answers I’m getting as of tonight on Manchester United’s side are always the same: Cristiano is not for sale and he will be part of the team this season,” transfer specialist Romano began.
“So at the moment they are not confirming the reports of Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract being terminated. This is what they say today, this is the message from the club, very clear.
“Erik ten Hag has also been very clear about Cristiano Ronaldo – protecting Cristiano, trusting Cristiano, starting Cristiano in the game with Brentford.
“Now it’s time for Manchester United to build again, to sign players, to back the manager, because Erik ten Hag’s expectations were different. This is for sure.
“He was expecting to have the team ready and not still fighting for many signings, not just one, but many.”
You can watch the full video here.
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