Erik ten Hag has admitted that he does not expect Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Manchester United in the January transfer window. The Red Devils boss decided to drop the 37-year-old from the squad to face Chelsea on Saturday, October 22, after the striker refused to come on against Tottenham Hotspur.
Ronaldo, who sees his contract at the club expire in the summer, was an unused substitute by Ten Hag at Old Trafford, as goals from Bruno Fernandes and Fred condemned Antonio Conte's side to a disappointing 2-0 defeat. Despite having been suspended from the first-team amid an increasingly uncertain future, he's set to remain at Old Trafford until the end of the season.
In the pre-match press conference, Ten Hag was asked whether he thought the five-time Ballon d'Or winner would remain at United and whether he wanted him to stay. The Dutchman replied: "Both."
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"It [dropping Ronaldo] is for this game and then we continue - it's a strike," Ten Hag added. "As we said in the statement, Cristiano remains an important part of the squad and I count on him for the rest of the season. We want to fulfil our ambitions."
Ronaldo was heavily linked with an exit from United in the summer, with Chelsea one of several clubs linked with securing his services. football.london understand that the Blues sounded out a move for the Portugal international in July, with the striker eager to ply his trade in the Champions League.
And according to ESPN, he was open to a move to Stamford Bridge. Following Ronaldo's suspension from the squad, further doubt has been cast over his future at the club.
With Todd Boehly also known to be interested in the striker, Chelsea could be tempted into capitalising on this uncertainty. The American billionaire met Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes in the summer to discuss a potential move, according to The Athletic.
Graham Potter has been quizzed on Ronaldo's situation at United ahead of the clash. The 47-year-old said: "I can't really comment, he's [Ten Hag] taken his stance.
"Then you need the club to support. It's difficult for me to comment because I don't really know what's happened, I don't want to go off headlines."
Chelsea must now prepare to face an alternative striker on Saturday as Potter looks to extend his unbeaten start in west London.
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