The conditions that Erik ten Hag established for Cristiano Ronaldo to remain at Manchester United

Now that the season for AFC Ajax is over, Erik ten Hag has said goodbye to the club that he coached since 2017 and now is focusing on the next step on his career: Premier League side Manchester United, as he will be the Red Devils’ coach for the next three seasons.

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Cristiano Ronaldo says he’s excited to play for Erik ten Hag but will leave Manchester United

One of the questions that has remained unanswered since he was announced to be the successor of Ralf Rangnick is whether Cristiano Ronaldo will stay in Old Trafford to fulfill his contract or if he will request his transfer over the summer.

For the past few months, the future of Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United has been in the air, as reports suggested that the Portuguese international was planning on leaving if they didn’t play Champions League next year.

Although the Red Devils didn’t manage to finish in the Champion League spots and will have to settle for UEFA Europa League, last week Ronaldo said during an interview published by Manchester United that he’s excited to play for Erik ten Hag, something that suggested that he’s ready to fulfill his contract.

Does Erik ten Hag want him at Manchester United?

The Dutchman arrived on Monday to Manchester to start preparing for next season, even if his contract doesn’t begin until July 1st and with Ralf Rangnick still on the dugout for one more game next Sunday, when United closes their participation against Crystal Palace.

Ten Hag said during an interview for De Telegraaf that he still has to plan a few things before taking over the team, like the coaching staff that will be helping him as well as meeting the players, especially Cristiano Ronaldo, which is why he won’t interfere with Rangninck’s last game.

The now-former Ajax coach said that he hopes that Ronaldo stays, although he established one condition for him to remain at least another year with the Red Devils, as he knows that they can’t play only for CR7: “We have to make them function as a team but definitely Ronaldo, he is a giant.”

Will Cristiano Ronaldo stay?

The decision now is in Ronaldo’s court as he still has just over 12 months of contract, although if both parties agree, an extra year could be added. But his recent declarations added to a leaked image of him wearing the jersey for the next season, everything points toward his stay at Manchester.

However, that doesn’t prevent that the Dutch coach is going to be on the market for a new striker, as they will have to fill the spot left by Edinson Cavani, who will leave the Red Devils at the end of the season as a free agent.

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