Cristiano Ronaldo 'not for sale,' Manchester United manager Ten Hag says
Cristiano Ronaldo is “not for sale," Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said Monday. The team is in Thailand for a preseason tour but the 37-year-old forward didn't make the trip due to an unspecified family issue, amid doubts over his future at the club. “He's not with us and it’s due to personal issues,” Ten Hag said at a press conference. ”We are planning with Cristiano Ronaldo for this season so that’s it. I’m looking forward to working with him." The Portugal star has reportedly asked to leave United. “He hasn’t told me this. I have read but what I say is Cristiano is not for sale,” Ten Hag said. “Cristiano is in our plans and we want to (have) success together.” Ronaldo returned to United from Juventus last season after 12 years away from Old Trafford but the team finished in sixth place and only qualified for the Europa League rather than the more prestigious Champions League. United will also travel to Australia as part of its tour.
Cristiano Ronaldo ‘not for sale’, insists Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag
Erik ten Hag says Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo is “not for sale” and “in our plans” for the coming season. It recently emerged the 37-year-old had asked to leave Old Trafford if an acceptable offer arrived following a disappointing first season back with a club he won medals aplenty at between 2003 and 2009. Ronaldo was due to report for pre-season training last Monday but a family issue saw him miss the whole week and Friday’s flight to Thailand for the start of United’s pre-season tour. Ten Hag spoke for the first time since his unveiling ahead of the Liverpool friendly in Bangkok, where the Portuguese dominated the line of questioning in a packed press conference. “He’s not with us and it’s due to personal issues,” Ten Hag said. “We are planning with Cristiano Ronaldo this season so that’s it. I’m looking forward to working with him. “He hasn’t told me (he wants to leave). I have read, but what I say is Cristiano is not for sale. Cristiano is in our plans and we want to get success together.” United have been adamant this summer that Ronaldo is staying put and Ten Hag says he spoke to the veteran star before his family issue arose. The Dutchman said it was “a really good talk” but did not want to provide any details of his conversation with a player whose availability for United’s three matches in Australia is unclear. Tyrell Malacia is Manchester United’s only signing of the summer so far (David Davies/PA) “I cannot tell because, as I said, his absence (for family reasons),” Ten Hag said. “I have already explained and that is it for this moment.” Ronaldo’s future is sure to rumble on during a tour that recently appointed manager Ten Hag begins with just one new signing. United are working hard to complement the acquisition of Feyenoord left-back Tyrell Malacia, with the pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong rumbling on as a move for free agent Christian Eriksen edges closer. Lisandro Martinez, the Ajax defender, is another target as Ten Hag looks to bolster his options. “He has the profile for the modern full-back,” he said of Malacia.