Manchester United play the second pre-season game in Australia later today, and Cristiano Ronaldo will be nowhere to be seen.
Australian fans had hoped Manchester United’s number 7 would be present for the tour. He’s officially absent for family reasons, but questions are swirling over his future.
BBC Sport report Ronaldo wants to leave Manchester United, amid frustration over the team’s lack of competitiveness last season.
Rio Ferdinand told FIVE that Ronaldo will have seen Manchester City and Liverpool strengthening already this summer, and felt let down about United’s lack of early progress in the market. Belatedly, the club are pushing to address this.
READ MORE: Confirmed Manchester United transfers, ins, outs, loans, releases for 2022/23
Club push for triple deal
With Tyrell Malacia in the bag, Manchester United are pushing for a triple deal to follow it up, which could change the team dramatically.
The Athletic report United are closing in on Lisandro Martinez, with an agreement also in place to sign Christian Eriksen, and a fee agreed with Barcelona for Frenkie de Jong.
These are three major players who will make United instantly more competitive, strengthening the defence and midfield.
Ronaldo can’t have been discouraged watching United’s 4-0 pre-season win over Liverpool either. It counts for nothing, but it showed the work of new boss Erik ten Hag is having a positive effect on rejuvenating the team.
A Manchester United team with Frenkie de Jong, Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen makes Manchester United competitive again, a better team, but this might still not be enough for Cristiano Ronaldo.
The one Ronaldo gripe signings can’t solve
Ronaldo’s biggest gripe, report BBC Sport, is the prospect of playing Europa League football for the very first time this season, after Manchester United failed to finish in the top four.
The report states: “It is not something he is viewing with relish,” amid hopes ‘a more attractive option’ may materialise, meaning an offer of Champions League football.
But Ronaldo’s combination of age, salary demands, and domineering all-consuming presence has seen top clubs back off him, and he seemingly has no credible offers.
He may end up stuck at United, and the club are doing their best now to solve his frustrations of lack of transfer action.
United won’t be strong enough to mount a league challenge next season, that can’t be solved in one year, but a serious cup at the cup competitions should be within grasp.
If Ronaldo can accept United’s new direction under the positivity of Erik ten Hag, then there’s a future for him at Old Trafford in 2022/23.
But if he just can’t get past the Europa League issue, then it doesn’t matter if United sign 10 players, the fact the club are in UEFA’s B-competition can’t be changed.
He should thank his lucky stars Brighton beat West Ham on the final day to save United dropping into the Europa Conference League.
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