Cristiano Ronaldo made a desperate attempt to move away from Manchester United this season, in search of Champions League glory, after the Portuguese saw that the Premier League side’s standing wouldn’t allow them to participate in the elite European competition this season. However, most major clubs didn’t want to take on the ageing forward with a massive salary, and Ronaldo seems poised to remain at United with the transfer window coming to a close. 

Fabrizio Romano reported new coach Erik ten Hag saying, “From the start we said we planned with Cristiano, it was clear. We are on the same page with him”. The former Ajax manager added, “We are happy with him, he’s happy to be here and we want to make the season a success together”. 

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The Dutchman had maintained the same stance from the start, expressing the occasional moment of frustration when talks with the forward made little progress. However, he was sure that Ronaldo would be a central part of United’s plans going forward. 

The talismanic striker has nonetheless spent some time warming the bench during United’s fixtures against Liverpool and Southampton, both games which the Old Trafford side won. There were some doubts about Ronaldo’s future at the club as well when ten Hag joined, considering his high-press football at Ajax left many wondering whether the 37-year-old could keep up. 

United, in their last two games, seem more confident in the kind of football they are playing and the match against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool was a high-intensity match. Ronaldo might not get to play an entire match due to his advanced age, but his goalscoring ability would give the Reds an immense edge. 

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This is especially true if ten Hag can get a Ronaldo-Antony linkup working. The Brazilian winger recently came from Ajax for a record hundred million euros and is great on the right flank with a strong left foot. He’s known to send floating crosses which a left winger like Ronaldo would be perfectly positioned to send into the back of the net. 

The Dutchman is also now satisfied with where the squad stands and said, “You need quality and I think now we have a squad which has the quality”, the official Man United site reported.