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MANCHESTER. — Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reiterated yesterday that Cristiano Ronaldo will not be leaving the team in the final days of the transfer window.
The uncertainty around Ronaldo’s future at United only increased following the signing of another forward, Brazil international Antony, from Ajax on Tuesday.
When asked if Ronaldo remains part of his plans following the arrival of Antony, Ten Hag said: “(It is) clear, of course.”
“We need quality players. You need more to cover all the games to keep the consistency going. That is what we strive for.”
Ronaldo has been pushing to leave United this summer to join a club playing in the Champions League.
The transfer window closes late today.
With Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka also set to complete a move to United, Ten Hag said more signings are unlikely in what has been a busy window for the 20-time English champions.
Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen have already joined United.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo reportedly called for Manchester United captain Harry Maguire to be dropped last season as the dressing room turned toxic and results dipped.
Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford has not gone to plan and tensions frayed last season as the club limped to a sixth-place finish.
And details have emerged surrounding the Portuguese striker’s demands, from team selection to formation tweaks.
According to The Athletic, Ronaldo was part of a group of players who approached Rangnick at Carrington in February this year.
Among them were Raphael Varane and Paul Pogba but Ronaldo’s message came through clearly when he said: ”Maguire is part of the problem”.
A few players from the group subsequently apologised to the interim boss, who departed the club in the summer.
Rangnick is said to have told the players including Ronaldo that it was ”inappropriate” to speak about Maguire when the player himself was not present.
Ronaldo also had a view on the team’s formation and during the impromptu meeting told the manager in no uncertain terms how he wanted them to set up. — AP
Online Reporter