Erik ten Hag believes he can persuade Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at Manchester United beyond next season.
United have slammed the door shut on Ronaldo leaving this summer, after their star player made it clear he would be interested in a move to a Champions League club. But ten Hag believes he can not only keep Ronaldo this summer, but convince the 37-year-old superstar to trigger an option in his contract to extend his stay at United until 2024.
Ronaldo has missed United's pre-season tour for family reasons but ten Hag suggested he can convince the forward the team he is building can match his remaining ambitions. Asked about Ronaldo's future, ten Hag said: “I am well informed, he also has an option, no? So, yes [Ronaldo could extend his stay].”
Underlining the importance of Ronaldo next season, ten hag said: “I have signed here for three years, but in football it’s short-term as well. We have to win from the start. So I don’t look that far ahead. I have a strategy, it’s a process, it takes time, but in the end we have to make sure from the outset there is a winning team.”
Although Ronaldo has not had a proper pre-season with games, ten Hag said he had no concerns over the forward's fitness and readiness to play come the start of the season. “He's training and I think we all know Ronaldo is a top professional and that he will be fit,” said ten Hag. “So that is the last concern I have.”
Asked if Ronaldo could play ten Hag's high-pressing style, given his age, the United boss said: “I think Cristiano is capable of doing that. In his career, he has shown everything. I have set my demands. We want to play in a certain way. A top player can contribute and Ronaldo is an absolute top player in our squad.”
Asked if he had spoken to Ronaldo in recent days about the forward's future, ten Hag said: “It's the same status as last week in Bangkok. No change.”
