A report has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo was willing to reduce his wages to exit Manchester United during the summer.
The Athletic claim that even on a mooted £80,000-a-week, Ronaldo could not find a new club during the summer transfer window.
They also carry quotes from Erik ten Hag, where he was asked a host of questions about Ronaldo in the wake of his infamous interview and subsequent release.
The Dutchman clearly tries not to say too much about Ronaldo, but says the forward told him he wanted to stay during the summer.
Ronaldo would have dropped wages but did not attract a new club
Ten Hag said: “In the summer we had one talk. He came in and said ‘I will tell you in seven days if I want to stay’.
“Then he came back and said: ‘I want to stay’. Until that moment (the interview) I never heard anything.
“The interview, as a club you can’t accept. There will be consequences. To make that step he knew the consequences. Before, he never told me.
“We didn’t have to discuss it. It was quite clear. Richard (Arnold, the CEO), John (Murtough, football director), me, it was (done). It was quite clear after that (TV interview) that he had to leave.”
Ronaldo is no longer a United player but the Red Devils manager is still getting asked about him – but hopefully that changes soon.
The article says that Ten Hag was also asked about other current United players and hopefully those quotes come out in the coming days.
That should be interesting and illuminating, getting Ten Hag’s thoughts on the players who are at the club and will move forward with him.
Ronaldo is part of the Portugal squad trying to make it to the World Cup semi-finals against Morocco today, where they could face England if they win.
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