Former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand is adamant that Cristiano Ronaldo will play a part in Erik ten Hag's plans at Old Trafford next season, insisting there is a "100 per cent chance."
Following United's failure to secure Champions League football for next season, speculation concerning Ronaldo's future has been rife. He returned to Old Trafford almost a year ago to win titles but could end up representing the Reds in the Europa Conference League next season.
With that said, speculation, unsurprisingly, has been a constant topic as far as Ronaldo's future is concerned in recent weeks, with it yet to have been made clear if he will stay at the club. He has been linked with former club Real Madrid and French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
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However, Ferdinand, who played with Ronaldo during the latter's first stint at Old Trafford, is confident that he will remain at the club this summer and be an important part of Ten Hag's plan. He has scored 24 goals this season in a Reds side that has consistently struggled, meaning an improvement around him could reap even bigger rewards next term.
"One hundred per cent. 100 per cent I think Cristiano will be at Manchester United," Ferdinand told Vibe with Five. "I've said it before, I think his legacy, leaving here, will change from what he expected it to be.
"And he'll be looking to do other things and leave a long-standing imprint beyond his playing days here. I think that's in terms of influence on other young players and helping set the culture.
"The manager will help set that and I think he will want it implemented by particular players and Ronaldo will be one of them for obvious reasons."
On Sunday, following his final game in charge of Ajax, Ten Hag addressed his impending arrival at Old Trafford and dropped a massive hint that he wants to work with Ronaldo.
The Dutchman said: "From tomorrow (Monday), my focus will be on United, and I will of course get deep into things there. What I have to say about it is, the detailed analysis still has to begin, I still have to work with the team, but let me be clear that at United there are a lot of good players around.
"We have to make them function as a team but definitely Ronaldo, he is a giant."
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