The future of Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United may be influenced by Antonio Conte... less than 12 months after he ‘vetoed’ the Italian’s appointment at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo wants to leave United after just one season due to their failure to secure Champions League football. The 37-year-old returned to United last year, but the return has not worked out as planned as the club finished sixth in the Premier League last season – 11 points off the top five and enduring a miserable campaign.
United have not planned for Ronaldo’s exit this summer but Brazilian forward Antony is said to be among the leading transfer targets for new boss Erik ten Hag who is keen to reunite with the 22-year-old - Ajax's star player last season. United are said to be in pole position to land the Brazilian given his strong relationship with the Red Devils boss at the Amsterdam Arena while the player's representatives recently travelled to Europe in order to discuss a possible transfer this summer.
Ajax will be more open to offers for the Brazilian this summer should they sign forward Steven Bergwijn from Tottenham this summer. The Dutch international is a key target for the Amsterdam-based club and all signs indicate that he will exit the North London club this summer with the arrival of Richarlison from Everton pushing him further down the pecking order.
Bergwijn previously starred at PSV Eindhoven prior to his switch to the Premier League in 2020. The 24-year-old has also impressed for the Dutch national team – he has found the net four times in six caps this year and looks set to play a big role for Louis van Gaal's side at the upcoming World Cup.
If Ajax do complete the signing of the Dutch international, it would bolster their attacking ranks and be more open to the departure of Antony – who Ten Hag wants to bring to United as his first choice attacking option, with his versatility and understanding of his tactical instructions highly valued.
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Antony is primarily a right-sided player, which would add balance to United's attack with Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford primarily deployed on the left. Anthony Elanga also recently claimed that he preferred to play on the left rather than on the right, where he had been utilised by former United interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
The availability of Antony, which would be partially dictated by Tottenham’s willingness to sell Bergwijn to the Amsterdam club, will impact on United’s willingness to allow Ronaldo to leave. As reported by the Manchester Evening News last season, Ronaldo ‘vetoed’ the appointment of Conte at Old Trafford – yet the Italian may now play a role in dictating the player’s future.
The Brazilian is high up United's transfer shortlist and a deal would become possible should Ajax land his ready-made replacement. United are closing in on a deal to sign Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong with an initial transfer fee agreed with Barcelona for £56.2million. They are also close to a £14million deal to land De Jong's Netherlands international teammate Tyrell Malacia – Feyenoord's left-back and have an agreement in place to sign free agent Christian Eriksen.
There has already been a significant exodus of players from United this year. Paul Pogba is on the lookout for a new club after United confirmed his exit at the end of his contract before the club also said their goodbyes to Jesse Lingard. Spanish playmaker Juan Mata's exit at the end of his contract was then confirmed on Thursday.
Nemanja Matic has departed too, joining Roma, while Edinson Cavani and Lee Grant – who has taken up a coaching role at Ipswich Town – have also left the first-team squad at United. Dean Henderson has joined Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan deal.
