MANCHESTER UNITED boss Erik ten Hag has reportedly been told he will have a limited budget next summer – even if they do sell Cristiano Ronaldo in January.
And that will make the Dutchman reluctant to let his unsettled Portugal superstar go, according to ESPN.
It looks increasingly likely Red Devils legend Ronaldo will leave the club again after losing his starting spot under Ten Hag this season.
The star, who has 142 goals for the Prem giants, looked a forlorn figure as an unused sub in Sunday’s 6-3 defeat at Manchester City.
He has not started a Prem game since the 4-0 defeat to Brentford in early August.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner appears to have fallen behind Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial in United’s pecking order.
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And sources have told ESPN he will be itching to find a new club in January if he cannot force his way back into the side.
Ronaldo was reportedly keen to leave Old Trafford in the summer and linked with clubs including Serie A side Napoli.
Uefa rules would allow Ronaldo to sign for a team in the Champions League in January as he has only played in the Europa League this season.
His attitude to training and games is said to have remained “exemplary” since it became clear he would not be leaving in the summer.
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But ESPN says he is still “desperate to make the most of his last years at the top.”
Ten Hag is said to be “understanding of Ronaldo’s situation but would still be reluctant to let him leave in January.”
Ronaldo’s Old Trafford deal runs until until the end of the season, with an option to extend until summer 2024.
And ESPN have learnt Ten Hag might be reluctant to let him go at the start of the new year because it is “highly unlikely there will be money to spend until next summer” for a suitable replacement.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
