Erik ten Hag believes Cristiano Ronaldo could stay at Manchester United beyond the upcoming season despite the Portugal forward telling the club he is open to a move away this summer.
Ronaldo still has one more year left to run on the contract he signed with United in August 2021 and there is an option for that deal to be extended by a further 12 months.
The 37-year-old has not taken part in any form of pre-season training with United this summer due to “personal reasons”.
The Athletic revealed earlier this month that Ronaldo wants to leave should the right offer come in but United are adamant he is not for sale.
When asked if it will be difficult to accommodate a player who only has one year left on their contract, Ten Hag said: “I am well informed, he also has also an option (of another year).
“Yes (he could stay beyond this season), but to be honest, of course, 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.”
Ten Hag also revealed he has still not spoken to Ronaldo since going on tour to Thailand and Australia.
Speaking ahead of United’s next pre-season game against Crystal Palace in Melbourne, Ten Hag said when asked if he’s spoken to Ronaldo: “The same status as last week in Bangkok. No change.”
It has been questioned if Ronaldo can meet the demands of Ten Hag’s high-pressing playing style but Ten Hag has no such worries.
“I think Cristiano is capable of doing that,” said Ten Hag. “In his career, he has shown everything.
“I have set my demand. We want to play in a certain way. A top player can contribute and Ronaldo is an absolute top player in our squad.
“The players dictate the way you play. Especially players who score goals because they are extremely important for a team. You construct your team around them.”
United host Brighton & Hove Albion in their first match of the 2022-23 Premier League campaign on August 7 and Ten Hag believes it is unlikely Ronaldo will feature due to not participating in pre-season.
When asked if he is likely to start the season without him, Ten Hag replied: “I think so but he is training. I think we all know Ronaldo is a top professional and he will be fit, that is the last concern I have.”