Cristiano Ronaldo 'very happy' to stay with Manchester United under Erik ten Hag

Footballing legend Cristiano Ronaldo did not enjoy the heroic return to Manchester United he likely envisioned last summer. 

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was shown the door in November, and interim coach Ralf Rangnick was unable to guide United to a top-four Premier League finish and a berth in next season's UEFA Champions League. The 2021-22 campaign wasn't a total loss for Ronaldo, though, as he tallied 24 goals across all competitions. 

As Sebastian Stafford-Bloor recently pointed out for The Athletic, Ronaldo is on track to become a free agent at the end of the 2022-23 season. It's been thought the 37-year-old could force a summer move to a Champions League side rather than play for new United boss Erik ten Hag, who won three league titles with Ajax before heading to Old Trafford. However, Ronaldo explained in an interview with United's website he isn't going anywhere.

"I was and still am very happy to be here, and what I have to say to the fans is they are amazing," Ronaldo remarked, according to Sky Sports. "Even when we lost games, they always support us, they always are with us. The supporters are always in my heart and it's the people that we all should respect because they are always on our side.

"For me, the most important thing is to try to win the games and try to win some championship or some cup but I believe that Manchester will be where they belong. As I say before, sometimes it takes time but I still believe."

CR7 reminded fans they need to be patient during what will likely be, at times, a stressful transition. 

"I know he did a fantastic job for Ajax and that he's an experienced coach but we need to give him time," Ronaldo said of ten Hag. "Things need to change the way he wants.

"I hope we have success of course because if you have success all of Manchester are going to have success as well. So I wish him the best. We are happy and excited, not only the players but the supporters as well. I wish him the best and let's believe that next year we're going to win trophies."

Back in January, Ronaldo teased he wanted "to find out if I'm going to play until I'm 40, 41, or 42." It's unclear how long ten Hag would allow the superstar to continue his journey in Manchester considering United need to commit to a youth movement sooner rather than later.