Erik ten Hag says Cristiano Ronaldo would not remain at Manchester United until at least January if he didn’t want to.
With Thursday’s transfer deadline looming, Ronaldo’s efforts to leave United in search of Champions League football are nearing a fruitless end, and he faces another five months in Manchester before the re-opening of the window may present an opportunity to move.
Questioned if he had spoken to Ronaldo, United boss Ten Hag said: “Several times, yes. We are on the same page. [He is happy to stay] otherwise he wouldn’t be here.”
United’s imminent £86m capture of Brazilian forward Antony from Ajax could further limit the amount of game time available to Ronaldo, who has started just one Premier League game this season, but for Ten Hag, the summer spending is a clear signal to Ronaldo of the club’s ambitions.
“It’s a signal, yes, but all the big clubs in the Premier League have spent a lot, so it’s the market,” he added. “From the start we said we planned with him [Ronaldo], we are happy with him, he’s happy to be here, and we want to make the season a success together.
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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says if they complete the signings of Antony and Martin Dubravka, that could be the last of the incomings at the club during this transfer window.
“It’s clear we have strengthened the squad. As a manager you always want more, and what I demand from my players I have to show as well. I always want to maximise, but at a certain point you have to be satisfied with what is there.
“Then it is also about development of the team, of the individuals, to get the team stronger and more consistent, to bring more quality. That is what we have to work for now, me together with my coaches and the togetherness with the team.”
As for where Ronaldo fits into Ten Hag’s footballing philosophy, the Dutchman has been left confident from the forward’s performances in training that has a role to play in whichever system is adopted this season.
“The way of playing, the set of demands, you can see in training Ronaldo has the ability,” Ten Hag said.
“He will fit in because… I don’t have to explain, he is a great player with great capabilities. He will fit in every system and every style. We are on one page, and he knows what the demands are.”
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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was asked whether Cristiano Ronaldo clapping the fans at the end of the game against Southampton was a sign of whether he has played his last game for the club.
Once complete, United’s capture of Antony will take the club’s summer spending to over £225m following the arrivals of Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen to Old Trafford.
Ten Hag insists there is no added pressure on his position after receiving backing in the transfer market from United and has stressed such spending is essential to achieve the club’s objectives.
“All the top clubs in the Premier League spent a lot of money this summer, that is how the market developed,” he said. “I can do nothing about it, no one can, it’s just the market. We have to accept how it went.
“If you want to compete at the top, you don’t have a choice. All the Premier League clubs spent this kind of money. If you want to fight for the top four positions you have to do it, and we have the ambition, especially over the long term, to play for trophies, so I think we had to do it.”
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Melissa Reddy analyses Erik ten Hag’s first 100 days in charge of Manchester United and where the Dutchman currently stands within the club.
On the additional pressure brought by the signings, he added: “No, we were on one page from the first talks I had with the club, they also saw the same positions which we definitely had to strengthen.
“I’m happy that we analysed those positions, we analysed the squad, and succeeding in filling in those positions with quality players.
“There are more options in several positions. We are really happy with the players we brought in. That gives a good feeling, they have quality football-wise but also as people, they suit Manchester United.”
Barca’s Dest set to join AC Milan
AC Milan are set to beat Premier League and La Liga competition to the signing of Barcelona full-back Sergino Dest, according to Sky in Italy.
Milan approached Barcelona about the United States international after losing Alessandro Florenzi to a muscular injury which could sideline him for six-to-eight weeks.
Sky in Italy report the deal will be a one-year loan with an option to buy for £17m plus bonuses.
Sky Sports News previously reported Manchester United were interested in Dest, who previously worked with Erik ten Hag at Ajax.
Why Antony is Ten Hag’s man
“For sure, we hope he will be the next star of Ajax.” It was July 2020 and Erik ten Hag, Ajax’s manager at the time, was introducing Antony, the club’s new £20m signing from Sao Paulo.
“We at Ajax are always trying to strive for the top,” added Ten Hag. “So I expect he will do his best to reach that level of expectation. The rest, we will see in the future.”
Ten Hag was right to expect big things of Antony – the Brazilian, only 19 when he agreed his move to Amsterdam, swiftly established himself as one of Ajax’s key players – but even he could not have predicted he might one day take him to Manchester United too.
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