Manchester United fans continue to nervously anticipate the 2022-23 season under new manager Erik ten Hag, and particularly whether Cristiano Ronaldo will still be at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo only re-joined the Red Devils less than 12 months ago, but finds himself the subject of rumours suggesting he will not be back to see out the second year of the two-year contract he penned last summer. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is thought to be growing impatient over United's inactivity in the transfer market so far and the rumour mill has been in overdrive, with various reports claiming he's been the subject of transfer talks with a number of clubs, not least Bayern Munich and, most shockingly, Chelsea.
The window has now been open for over a fortnight and United are yet to make their first signing of the summer. In contrast, fellow big-six sides Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool have all snapped up key additions.
The new Premier League season is just over a month away and given the size of the rebuild on Ten Hag's hands, it has come as a surprise that United are still awaiting their first arrival. It's not been for the want of trying, however. Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is thought to be the club's primary target, while Ajax pair Jurrien Timber and Antony have also both been linked with a reunion with their former boss. Yet, little ground has been made so far.
Thus, Ronaldo is seemingly starting to show some signs of agitation, with the stories swirling around him all sounding very similar to those of last summer, when he departed Juventus and returned to Manchester. There would not be a shortage of suitors for the forward, despite his age, having finished last term as United's top scorer, but whether there are the options out there to pay him the kind of money he would want is another issue entirely.
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There is of course, still plenty of reason to believe that he will see out the final year of his United contract. Ten Hag has already been publicly complimentary of Ronaldo before the pair have even joined forces.
"I am looking forward to working with him,” said ten Hag. “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."
Ronaldo returned the favour with some kind words of his own. After the Dutchman's appointment, the United star added: "I know that he has done a fantastic job at Ajax, and that he is an experienced coach. But we have to give him time. Things must change the way he wants. If he does well, all of Manchester United will be successful, so I wish him well. We are all happy and excited, not only as players, but as fans as well."
The comments read well from a United perspective, but there must be a certain amount of fear from both the Red Devils hierarchy and fanbase that these rumours are being deliberately sent out to secure a move away, particularly after last season went anything but according to plan.
