Due to family obligations, Cristiano Ronaldo is not with the Manchester United team in Bangkok for the start of their preseason trip, but he wants to go.
Manchester United, according to Erik ten Hag, is not willing to let Cristiano Ronaldo leave the team.
Ronaldo missed the start of pre-season training due to a family issue but it emerged two days before his expected return to United’s Carrington training complex he wanted to leave.
The 37-year-old is unhappy at United’s slow movement in the transfer market and failure to qualify for the Champions League, which triggered a 25% salary reduction in his contract.
Ahead of United’s first pre-season friendly against Liverpool in Bangkok, Ten Hag was asked whether he would let Ronaldo leave and replied: “No, we are planning for Cristiano Ronaldo for the season and that’s it and I’m looking forward to working with him.
“I have read but what I say is Cristiano is not for sale, he is in our plans and we want success together.
“I spoke with him before this issue came up, I had a conversation with him and I had a good talk. That is between Cristiano and me, what I can confirm is we had a really good conversation together.
Ten Hag is understood to have spoken to Ronaldo on a video call in May as he prepared to officially take over at United but the Dutchman has not spoken with the Portuguese since his representatives communicated his wish for a transfer.
Despite only signing left-back Tyrell Malacia, United are attempting to recruit a forward and has intensified their efforts to reinforce the attack in the wake of the Ronaldo news
Ten Hag could not guarantee Ronaldo would link up with the United squad in Australia, where they are due to be based for over a week in Melbourne and Perth.
When asked how Ronaldo’s absence could affect United’s plans, Ten Hag said: “The way of playing to develop is a process, takes time, also it’s dependent on the competence of the squad, clear, and how we want to play that is proactive.
