Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has opened up the possibility of talisman Cristiano Ronaldo staying at the club beyond the 2022/23 season. He also spoke of his new recruits, playmaker Christian Eriksen and centre-back Lisandro Martinez.
Addressing players old and new, Erik ten Hag spoke highly of the personnel available to him ahead of his debut season in England. The big miss so far has been Ronaldo, who is yet to join the team on their pre-season tour of Australia.
While the idea of his exit has been floated around in recent weeks, ten Hag has opened up the possibility of his talismanic forward staying at United for another year, beyond the end of his contract expiration in 2023.
“I am well informed, he also has an option. Yes. Of course, I have signed here for three years but in football, it’s short-term as well. We have to win from the start so I don’t look that far ahead,”
the Dutchman said, per Rob Dawson of ESPN.
Despite a disappointing season for the club, Ronaldo enjoyed a prolific return to Old Trafford. Signing for the Red Devils in the summer window of 2021, the 37-year-old would make 38 appearances across all competitions throughout the subsequent season and netted 24 times – the highest in the squad.
Lack of Champions League football and transfer incomings were rumoured to be behind Ronaldo’s apprehensions. The player, said the reports, wanted to quit the club this summer with potential suitors in England, Germany, and Italy eyeing him up.
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However, United have addressed one of those areas since; the club has completed the signings of Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, and Lisandro Martinez.
Speaking of the Dane, ten Hag claimed that having him in his squad is a clear advantage. The midfielder joined the club after resuscitating his career at Brentford in the latter half of the 2021/22 season.
“It’s an absolute advantage that we have him in,”
ten Hag remarked.
He also spoke highly of central defender Martinez, whose signing the club confirmed recently on a long-term deal from AFC Ajax.
“He’s a warrior and I think the fans will admire him. He has an attitude, fighting spirit. He brings aggressiveness in the game, in a good way. I think we need that. But also, he’s also skillful and he can deal with the ball and he’s left-footed,”
he claimed.
