Dutch manager Eric Ten Hag, the new manager of Manchester United, commented on the future of the Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo in the team, as well as the performance of the Red Devils in preparation for the new season.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale, I am planning his presence and looking forward to working with him,” Ten Hag said of Ronaldo in comments published by Sky Sports.
He added: “The situation remains the same and he also has the option of staying at Manchester United for another season.”
Ronaldo is absent from the Red Devils’ team tour of Thailand and Australia in preparation for the new season, and Manchester United have attributed this to family circumstances.
While media reports indicate that Ronaldo is refusing to continue with the English team until his contract expires in the summer of 2023 in protest at the club’s weak performance in the current summer transfer market and the team’s failure to qualify for the Champions League next season.
Ten Hag confirmed that he is not bothered by Cristiano’s absence because he trains alone and is a great professional, saying, “He will be fit to match… I have no doubt.”
As to whether the Portuguese star will return to training next week, the Dutch coach replied: “I can’t answer that question. I dont know”.
And Tin Haeg touched on Manchester United’s current prep period, saying: “I think the group is working well, in every training session they give their best and they carried that over to the matches.”
He continued: “I’m not satisfied yet, they can still do more, but it won’t happen overnight, it’s a process that takes time, the goal is to be in better physical shape than now, we’re building this, and it’s also the responsibility of the players “.
And he summed up: “We are at the beginning and it takes time, we need a full period of preparation, but I also know that we will not be ready at the beginning of the season, and I also know that we need to get results from the beginning.”
Source: agencies