Cristiano Ronaldo unsure over Manchester United future amid lack of transfer activity
Ronaldo has another 12 months left on his two-year Manchester United contract, but now has doubts about whether he wants to see out his deal.
Cristiano Ronaldo is in the twilight of his career, but that doesn’t mean his hunger to win trophies has diminished.
The forward has welcomed Erik ten Hag’s appointment as Manchester United’s new head coach, following the negative experience of Ralf Rangnick’s short tenure in charge. Ronaldo returned to United in summer 2021 with the aim of repeating former glories at Old Trafford, but the season turned out to be a nightmare, as the Red Devils finished 35 points adrift of Premier League champions Manchester City.
Ronaldo concerned over lack of transfer activity at United
The future doesn’t appear to be much more promising for United, given the signings their rivals are bringing in and the slow start the club has made to the summer transfer window. The current state of affairs is a cause of concern for Ronaldo, who doesn’t want to spend his final season, or one of his final seasons, playing in a side where he doesn’t have any prospects of adding further medals to his collection.
Forward now has doubts about seeing out contract
The Portugal captain, 37, had been determined to see out the remaining 12 months of his two-year United contract, despite the team’s failure to qualify for the 2022/23 Champions League. However, he now has doubts. The arrivals of Erling Haaland at City and Darwin Núñez at Liverpool, among other deals done this summer, have left Ronaldo concerned that the gap between United and their rivals could be even greater next term.
Ronaldo wants players to come in, but it doesn’t appear that United are preparing to undertake the squad overhaul that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner considers necessary. That’s the conclusion that can be drawn from the recent, expletive-laden video that emerged of United CEO Richard Arnold telling fans the club has “f***ing burned through cash.”
It remains to be seen what signings United finally make over the next two months, because Ronaldo’s future at Old Trafford will depend in no small part on the business the club does.