Cristiano Ronaldo's camp have been impressed with how Manchester United chief Richard Arnold has handled his exit demand.
The Portuguese superstar is looking to quit the club less than 12 months after arriving. The 37-year-old continued to find the net with regularity last term but the team were unable to challenge for silverware as they eventually finished sixth - meaning a year without Champions League football.
That is among the motives for Ronaldo's exit and Jorge Mendes is now looking to move his client on for the second successive summer. It has left United in the lurch, especially given the timing, but Arnold's attitude towards the player's future has been positively noted by Ronaldo's camp, reports The Times.
Arnold has allowed Ronaldo and his team to explore their options. Chelsea have been touted as a possible destination with Todd Boehly keen to make a marquee signing this summer. Bayern Munich too have been speculated as an option whilst a return to either Italy or Portugal is also on the cards.
United have also wasted no time in making the necessary changes following their below par season last time out. There have been changes in the dugout with Erik ten Hag arriving and immediately new players have been pursued, albeit with varying degrees of success.
He has also underlined Ronaldo's importance to this United side despite his age, which has been backed up by Ten Hag who insists he is preparing for the No 7 to be involved. He said: "We are planning with Ronaldo for this season - that's it. I'm looking forward to working with him."
Asked if Ronaldo wants to leave, he then added: "He hasn't told me this. I have read, but as I say, Cristiano is not for sale, he's in our plans and we want to get success together."
Have Your Say! Should Man Utd cash in on Ronaldo? Tell us what you think here!
United had indicated they were willing to listen to offers for Ronaldo this summer, but Ten Hag's latest comments show a desire to keep hold of the veteran forward. Ronaldo divided opinion among onlookers at Old Trafford last term with some suggesting his individuality was having an adverse effect on the team.
Jamie Carragher was among those to cite the return of Ronaldo as the wrong call. He said on The Overlap: "He’s always played for great teams and his attitude of trying to be the main man, driving the team on, getting the goals, when you’re in a great team that is seen as a positive.
"When you’re not playing for a great team it can be seen as a negative and I think it has been this season. Man United can’t go into next season with a centre-forward who will be 38, even if he does score goals. That’s not right for Man United."
