Manchester United could let Cristiano Ronaldo leave after disastrous start to season?
Reports surfaced on Monday claiming that Manchester United had denied a rumor stating that they could terminate the contract for superstar Cristiano Ronaldo following back-to-back defeats to open the Premier League season and amid Ronaldo's alleged desire to join a club playing in this season's UEFA Champions League competition.
United manager Erik ten Hag previously said that Ronaldo isn't for sale and is in his plans for the ongoing campaign. It appears, however, that the situation may have changed.
London sports radio station TalkSport reported Tuesday that Ten Hag will consider selling Ronaldo before the summer transfer window closes "due to concerns over his behavior." Meanwhile, Sky Sports News adds that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner could be allowed to leave Old Trafford if Ten Hag "decides his departure would be better for the club going forward."
Sky's Kaveh Solhekol offered more information about the situation and about Ronaldo's "poor" body language during this past Saturday's shocking 4-0 blowout loss to Brentford:
Ronaldo still has a year left on his contract with an option for an additional 12 months, and it's been said that a handful of massive clubs have already rejected the chance to sign him this summer. However, Sky now reports that Atletico Madrid and Chelsea may contemplate making a last-minute move for the 37-year-old "if United change their stance and let him leave."
Ronaldo scored 24 goals across all competitions for United last season but had never before worked under Ten Hag, who only took over as boss this spring. As noted by Reuters (h/t Yahoo Sports), the Dutchman became the first United manager since John Chapman in 1921 to lose his first two games in charge.
United sit bottom of the Premier League table heading into this coming Monday's showdown with rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.
More must-reads: