Cristiano Ronaldo's long-term future at Manchester United is far from certain but he'll at least be staying put until January.
The Portuguese, in his second stint at the club, wanted to depart in the summer in his pursuit of Champions League football but a move away never materialised.
Talk persists of a possible transfer to the riches of Saudi Arabia but for the next few months the 37-year-old will be among the options at the disposal of manager Erik ten Hag. That prospect does not sit well with some pundits, with one in particular critical of Ronaldo's attitude and desire.
Read more: Brentford might have saved United from derby day embarrassment
Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool defender, spoke in August suggesting the veteran will want to move on as soon as possible and raised doubts over whether Ten Hag wanted him "around the place".
He said: "I think with Ronaldo, the manager has an opportunity with players back to say no I want you on the bench.
"If I’m being honest, I’m not sure the manager wants Ronaldo around the place, he had to play him last week because it was so poor against Brighton. As soon as he’s got options he’s put him on the bench and in two weeks I think Ronaldo will move on."
But comments emerging this week from Antony, one of the new arrivals at United, suggest that the Portuguese has been key to helping him settle in at Old Trafford.
"He always makes me feel comfortable," said the Brazilian of a player 15 years his senior. "It looks like I have known him for a long time, and I told him this. I'm learning a lot from him."
Those comments will go some way to silencing Carragher and fellow critics about Ronaldo's attitude despite him being consigned, largely, to cameos from the bench.
Whilst he may not be having as big an impact as he would like on the field, the United icon is clearly still having a positive effect off it.
READ MORE:
