Ronaldo ‘pained’ by Haaland as Man Utd and Fergie details leak

Erik ten Hag on Cristiano Ronaldo staying at Man Utd

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Cristiano Ronaldo has been left ‘pained’ by Erling Haaland’s terrific form at Manchester City, according to reports. The Manchester United star came close to moving to the Etihad Stadium back in the summer transfer window of 2021, only for Sir Alex Ferguson and others to intervene to convince him to return to Old Trafford instead. And it appears he now regrets that decision, with the 37-year-old struggling to make Erik ten Hag’s starting XI.

Back in the summer of 2021 it looked as though Ronaldo was going to do the unthinkable by quitting Juventus for Manchester City, despite his United past.

The veteran was tempted to play for Pep Guardiola at the Etihad, believing he’d shine for the reigning Premier League champions – who had missed out on landing Harry Kane from Tottenham.

In the end, however, Ronaldo returned to United after Ferguson, Patrice Evra, Bruno Fernandes, Rio Ferdinand and countless others intervened.

City have since proceeded to recruit Haaland, who has already netted 19 goals across all competitions since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund.

And The Times say Ronaldo has been left ‘pained’ by the form of the Norway international, who is on course to break records galore at the current moment in time.

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Haaland has been a specialist in the penalty box so far, with the 22-year-old scoring the majority of his goals from that area of the field.

And given that’s usually where Ronaldo operates, it appears the United star is envisaging how he himself would have fared.

Ronaldo returned to United in 2021 believing he’d be able to awake them from their post-Ferguson slumber under old team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Things started well enough, with the veteran scoring twice on his second debut for the club in a 4-1 win over Newcastle.

But Solskjaer was unable to get the best from his players in the wake of Ronaldo’s Hollywood homecoming and was axed last November after a chastening defeat to Watford.

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Ronaldo wasn’t always a regular for Ralf Rangnick, with the pair enduring a difficult relationship during the German’s spell as interim boss.

And it appears he’s at odds with Ten Hag behind the scenes at United these days, with the Dutchman open to offloading the veteran in January.

Ronaldo has started just four matches for United this term, scoring just once – penalty in a 2-0 Europa League win over Sheriff.

And he was unable to net on Thursday night as the Red Devils battled their way to a 3-2 victory over Omonia in the same competition.

Ronaldo is hoping to leave United when the transfer window reopens in January, having failed to secure an exit back in the summer.

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But whether a top team comes in for the veteran remains to be seen, while it’s also possible the United hierarchy will object of any possible sale.

Speaking after the win over Omonia, meanwhile, Ten Hag was asked about Ronaldo’s performance and his failure to score.

The former Real Madrid and Juventus star huffed and puffed all night long but was unable to convert any of his chances, much to his frustration.

But Ten Hag insisted he was happy with the forward’s display, saying: “I think the first two [shots he had produced] good saves from the goalie.

“He had a couple of chances, also he created a couple of chances.

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“He was in for a good move and run for the first goal with Marcus Rashford, so he had an impact in this game.”

Ronaldo will be hoping to start when United lock horns with Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday (7pm).

However, there’s no guarantee that will happen with Anthony Martial battling to secure a starting berth as well.

There’s a sense Martial will get the nod, too, having scored three goals from three appearances since the appointment of Ten Hag as manager.

United lost 1-0 to the Toffees in the same fixture last term on a difficult day for Rangnick in April.

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