Former Manchester United forward Teddy Sheringham has urged the club to sell Cristiano Ronaldo while suggesting they haven't done enough in the transfer window to excite the forward.
Ronaldo was United's top scorer last season, having returned to Old Trafford after 12 years away. However, after the team failed to qualify for the Champions League, he told those in charge that it is time for him to leave.
The Portugal star's options may be limited, with Chelsea opting against a move and Bayern Munich also ruling themselves out. Erik ten Hag has insisted the veteran is still part of his plans, but Sheringham believes United's budget is best used elsewhere.
"If I'm Ronaldo now I'm saying go on then United, excite me…what are you doing in the transfer market," Sheringham told The Mail. United have begun their first window under Ten Hag by adding Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen, with Lisandro Martinez set to become the third new addition.
A move for Frenkie de Jong has stalled, with the Dutchman joining Barcelona's pre-season tour. Efforts to sign Antony have also proved fruitless thus far, while Ten Hag is believed to have turned down the opportunity to push for Spain defender Pau Torres.
With Ronaldo approaching the twilight of his career, Sheringham suggested the 37-year-old only has "two years max" at the top of his game. The former England international, who won the Champions League with United in 1999, called on Ten Hag to let Ronaldo go for the wider benefit of the team.
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"People are saying shall Ten Hag build his team around Ronaldo, but if he wants to go he goes," Sheringham continued. "That opens up a whole new corridor for United.
'You could get in two or three players on that sort of wage and that is a lot of money they could spend each month. Life goes on, he wants to go and play somewhere else so get players in that you know who are going to be strong and stable throughout the season."
The comments come as Ronaldo is absent from Man Utd's pre-season tour for family reasons. Ten Hag's side have thrived without their number seven, though, beating Liverpool 4-0 and Melbourne Victory 4-1.
"He is not with is and that is due to personal issues," Ten Hag clarified. "But we are planning with Cristiano for this season, so that's it and I am looking forward to working with him.
" I spoke with him before this issue came up. I had a really good conversation with him, but that will stay between me and him. But Cristiano is not for sale.”
