Ronaldo antics threaten to overshadow Ten Hag at Man Utd
FT Desk
- 1 Aug 2022 16:45 BST
- 3 min read
While he is still yet to take the bench for his first competitive match, early indications have been very positive indeed for new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.
Several first-teamers have spoken out about the positive effect the ex-Ajax coach has had in training, while he could not have asked for a better start to his career in pre-season when United thrashed Liverpool 4-0 in a one-sided friendly outing.
But in spite of those encouraging, a large shadow looms in the shape of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese's desire to leave United has dominated headlines around the club this summer, overshadowing Ten Hag's work in remoulding a squad which seriously underachieved during 2021-22.
And even when Ronaldo did rejoin his team-mates, in Sunday's clash with Rayo, his decision to leave Old Trafford before full-time only sparked more murmours.
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The days continue to drag on without any serious buyer for the veteran forward appearing on the horizon, and if the situation does not change soon United may have to go into next Sunday's Premier League opener against Brighton with this cloud still hanging over their heads.
'He has to stick around'
"Fundamentally you are part of a team and if Ronaldo is to be integrated back into Manchester United and send all the right messages, regardless of whether he wants an exit, which we know he does, he has to stick around," CBS reporter Ben Jacobs explained.
"The entire Ten Hag era is being overshadowed by Cristiano Ronaldo"@jacobsben on Cristiano Ronaldo's early exit from Old Trafford 👋 pic.twitter.com/02P3EOCYGW
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) August 1, 2022
"This just reiterates again that the entire Ten Hag era is being overshadowed by Cristiano Ronaldo, and now it needs to be stated very clearly, either by Manchester United or by Cristiano Ronaldo, what the situation is."
