Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly ‘worried’ by Manchester United’s lack of activity in the summer transfer market so far.
United finished in sixth spot last season and a whopping 11 points off fifth place while, unlike those sides who finished above them in the standings, are yet to make any moves in the transfer market following the appointment of Erik ten Hag as their new boss.
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is United’s prime summer transfer target and he held a phone call recently with Ten Hag during which the new United manager outlined the role the player would enjoy under him as part of a charm offensive. Reports this weekend outlined how the midfielder has already cleared out his locker at Barca with a move appearing to edge closer.
Yet the club are not increasing any other transfer activity until they can secure a move for the Dutch international. This is despite a raft of departures from the first-team squad at Old Trafford at the end of their contracts including Edinson Cavani, Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic and Lee Grant.
The club’s situation is said to be worrying Ronaldo, who rejoined the club last year from Juventus after 12 years away – but the club finished a whopping 35 points off title winners Manchester City. Diario AS now report that the Portuguese superstar is concerned that the club are about to endure another campaign out of the running for trophies.
It is claimed that Ronaldo, 37, does not want to spend the remaining years of his career at the top level in a side who are not capable of challenging for major honours. The superstar has already had to come to terms with the fact that he will not be in the Champions League for the first time since leaving Sporting Lisbon in 2003.
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Ten Hag said of Ronaldo following his Old Trafford appointment: "I am looking forward to working with him. Ronaldo is a giant, because of what he has already shown, and I think he is still very ambitious. Of course I want to keep him in. He has been very important for Manchester United this year and can show great statistics."
United have been linked to multiple players in this transfer window; beyond Barcelona midfielder De Jong, Ajax trio Jurrien Timber, Lisandro Martinez and Antony have all been linked with a move to Old Trafford while Christian Eriksen – a free agent after leaving Brentford – is also said to be on their radar.
