Ferdinand: '100 per cent' Ronaldo will be at United next season
Rio Ferdinand claims Cristiano Ronaldo will ‘100%’ be at Manchester United next season… as Old Trafford legend backs his former team-mate to play a crucial role under new manager Erik ten Hag
- Erik ten Hag said on Monday that he wants Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at United
- Ten Hag described Ronaldo, United’s top scorer this season, as a ‘giant’
- Rio Ferdinand says Ten Hag will need players like Ronaldo in the dressing room
- The former United defender called on the club to give the Dutchman time
Rio Ferdinand believes Cristiano Ronaldo will ‘100 per cent’ be at Manchester United at next season and backed his former team-mate to help Erik ten Hag with his revolution at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag, who is joining United from Ajax, confirmed on Monday that he wants Ronaldo to stay at the club.
The Portuguese star has scored 24 goals since his sensational return to Old Trafford – more than double anyone else in the squad – but there have been question marks over his future because of the club’s dismal campaign.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand says Cristiano Ronaldo will be at the club next season
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United have failed to qualify for the Champions League and could face the ignonimy of a place in the Europa Conference League if results do not go their way on the final day of the season.
Ronaldo’s contract runs until 2023, but the Red Devils have the option to extend this by a further year.
It is looking increasingly likely that he will remain at the club at least for another season and he told United’s official website last week that he was looking forward to working under ten Hag.
Ronaldo has been United’s standout player in what has been a poor season for the club
The Portuguese star has scored 24 goals since his sensational return to Old Trafford
Ferdinand, speaking on the Vibe with Five podcast, said Ronaldo could have a key part to play under the Dutchman as he begins his tenure at Old Trafford.
‘100 per cent I think Cristiano will be at Manchester United [next season], said United legend Ferdinand.
‘His legacy leaving here will change from what he expected it to be, and he will be looking to do other things and leave a longstanding imprint beyond his playing days here in terms of influence on other players, on young players and helping set the culture.
‘The manager will set that and he will want to impliment it through particular players and Ronaldo will be one of them for obvious reasons – dedication, application, character – and you can see in that statement that he wants the manager to do well.
‘The manager needs time yes, and I think he needs to be afforded that but an important part of that is that he wants things done his way and the players need to follow.
Ferdinand believes Ronaldo could play a huge role on and off the pitch under Erik ten Hag
‘He will want to reset the culture and he is going to need lieutenants – I’ve always said this, in the changing rooms that I played in at Old Trafford you need those players other than just the captain who help set the standard and set the culture on a day to day basis.’
In an interview with De Telegraaf, Ten Hag – who arrived in Manchester on Monday to begin his preparations before he officially starts work on July 1 – said: ‘Ronaldo is a giant, because of what he’s already shown and I think he’s still very ambitious.
‘Of course I would like to keep him. He’s been very important to Manchester United this year and can produce great statistics.’
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