In order to “maintain tranquillity” at Old Trafford, club officials and manager Erik ten Hag expect Cristiano Ronaldo will “leave Manchester United this winter.”
After failing to see game action under Ten Hag, the 37-year-old, who returned to United last season, stated his wish to quit the Red Devils in the summer.
The Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg claims that the club is already searching for Erik Choupo-Moting as a potential replacement for the Portuguese superstar, who “may be set to depart the club in January.”
On Twitter, Plettenberg stated that “inside the club they expect him [Ronaldo] to depart in the winter,” further indicating that Sporting Lisbon may be looking to trade its former prodigy.
Bosses desire strength, while Ten Hag seeks to maintain peace. The search for replacements has already begun (Choupo-Moting and others).
“A trip back to Sporting Lisbon should be a possibility.”
The forward recently stormed off the pitch following a 2-0 victory against Tottenham in September, having made it clear earlier in the summer that he wanted to go to play in the Champions League.
Following his theatrics during United’s match with Tottenham, Ten Hag punished the Portugal international by excluding him from first-team activities.
