Erik ten Hag ‘open’ to Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Man Utd as Jamie Vardy transfer ‘considered’

Erik ten Hag may be willing to let Cristiano Ronaldo leave Manchester United in the final weeks of the transfer window, according to reports.

The striker’s future has dominated the headlines this summer, with Ronaldo missing the club’s pre-season tour and playing just 45 minutes in their warm-up games ahead of the new season.

He has, however, featured in both of the club’s opening two Premier League games, which have resulted in devastating defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford.

While the United manager has no shortage of issues and problems to contend with, The Athletic claim Ronaldo is ‘foremost among Ten Hag’s current concerns’.

They add the Dutchman ‘would be open’ to the prospect of Ronaldo leaving, so long as he could sign a replacement up front for the man who netted 24 goals last season in all competitions.

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy is one name that has been mentioned, but the Foxes are unwilling to let him leave. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid’s Alvaro Morata and Raul De Tomas of Espanyol are among those being considered.

But this would depend on Ronaldo leaving, and The Athletic report United are yet to receive an offer from a Champions League club for the former Real Madrid attacker.

He’s also said to be struggling to reintegrate into the team after this summer’s public come-and-get-me plea, and Ronaldo often eats lunch by himself. He also has argued against the ‘high-pressing approach’ imposed by Ten Hag in training.

The latest reports on Ronaldo come in the midst of a disastrous start to the 2022/23 campaign for Ten Hag.

United were outfought and bullied by Brentford on Saturday and lost 4-0, which led to widespread criticism, especially from the likes of Gary Neville.

United also face Liverpool next, and fans will be nervous of a repeat of the 5-0 humiliation at Old Trafford last season.