ROY KEANE has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo had “four or five” decent transfer options this summer.
The ex-midfielder, 51, blasted Erik ten Hag for the lack of respect shown to the superstar, having committed to the cause.
The Portugal captain, 37, was supposedly desperate to leave Manchester United this summer and play in the Champions League.
But he stayed, despite having had a few “very good” options, according to the former Old Trafford legend.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Keane explained: “United are showing disrespect to Ronaldo.
“I think he should have been let go this summer during the transfer window. I don’t think the manager should have held onto him just for him to sit on the bench.
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“He is one of the greatest players ever and he had options to leave this summer.
“The idea that he had no options is rubbish. He had four or five very good options.
“United have shown nothing but disrespect to Ronaldo and they should have let him go when the opportunity came.
“I know for a fact he had options to go, and holding on for him to sit on the bench is ridiculous for a player of his stature.
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“If you look at his goals record, he had as good a chance as anyone as putting the ball in the net.
“People are obsessed with the pressing side of the game but if you put the ball in the right areas, he will score goals.”
Ronaldo was heavily linked with Chelsea but the Blues, along with the likes of Bayern Munich, ruled themselves out of a shock move.
Atletico Madrid were said to have pulled out after a fan backlash over the ex-Real striker.
His agent Jorge Mendes had been searching for a new club all summer — without success.
But Irishman Keane thinks it’s now time to forgive and forget.
The 37-year-old Ron didn’t play a single minute as the Red Devils were stuffed 6-3 by their local rivals Manchester City.
They were thrashed by the Premier League champions at the Etihad as Phil Foden and Erling Haaland both scored hat-tricks in a one-sided mauling.
Ronaldo started the match on the bench for the fifth league match in a row.
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And he did not even see any game time in the closing stages – one of just four substitutes Ten Hag chose not to use.
Following United’s two defeats at the start of the campaign, Ten Hag has gone with Marcus Rashford as the central striker, with Ronaldo’s only two starts coming in the Europa League.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
