Man Utd can save over £15m if Ten Hag gives Ronaldo green light

Man Utd v West Ham: Pictures

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Manchester United could save at least £15million if Erik ten Hag sanctions Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit in January. The wantaway Red Devils ace could reportedly finally force his way out of Old Trafford in the winter transfer window, with former club Sporting Lisbon open to an emotional homecoming. 

Ronaldo was desperate to leave United in the summer but was told he had to see out the remainder of the two-year contract he signed upon his blockbuster return 12 months earlier. There were no clubs willing to pay his mega £500,000 per-week salary, while Ten Hag wanted the Portugal captain to stay. 

But United chiefs could renege on that firm stance in January if Ronaldo continues to demand he leaves. The relationship between Ten Hag and the veteran forward appears to have soured, and tensions came to a boil earlier in October when Ronaldo refused to be used as a substitute in the 2-0 win over Tottenham. 

Portuguese outfit Sporting have emerged as a possible destination for Ronaldo in January. The Primeira Liga side are reportedly willing to pay the majority of their former player’s wages.

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According to the Mirror, a potential deal would involve the Premier League club parting with a small pay-off for Ronaldo. That would allow him to take a wage cut to join Sporting – the club where the five-times Ballon champion launched his remarkable career. 

Given that the 20-times English champions are due to pay Ronaldo around £500,000 per-week until the end of the season, letting him depart would save the club around £15m. With bonuses on top of that base figure, the Old Trafford hierarchy could actually earn a lucrative deal from the 37-year-old’s exit. 

Ten Hag will supposedly be given the final say on Ronaldo’s future over the coming months. The Dutchman repeatedly infuriated the iconic goalscorer by using him as a substitute for most of the opening few months of the season. 

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But Ronaldo has since started United’s last two games, scoring against Sheriff in last week’s Europa League victory. He also impressed in the narrow 1-0 success against West Ham on Sunday. 

The United boss might therefore decide that he wants Ronaldo to see out the remainder of his contract with the Red Devils. After all, the club would need to sign a replacement, which would be an expensive cost midway through the campaign. 

Ten Hag was impressed with Ronaldo’s defensive work against the Hammers. He told Sky Sports: “He did quite well – we asked him to drop deeper, make runs and move defenders around.”

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