Until the transfer window closes, Cristiano Ronaldo is the centre of attention in Manchester United. The Portugal international has not returned for preseason training with the rest of the team. His compatriot Bruno Fernandes is hoping to see him once the holidays are over. And it’s not just fans who are unsure of the future of Ronaldo. Fellow countryman Darwin Nunez has also expressed his displeasure over the prospect of Ronaldo moving on.
Bruno Fernandes is not for sale at Manchester United
If you’re a Manchester United fan, you probably think that Bruno Fernandes is not for sale. The Brazilian has been a revelation at Old Trafford and he’s worth more than PS55m. The transfer fee for Fernandes may rise to up to PS67.7 million, but it still looks like a good deal. According to a Football Observatory CIES report, Fernandes is one of the five most valuable players in the world.
The Portuguese midfielder is close to signing a five-year contract extension at Manchester United. He arrived at the club from Sporting in January 2020 for EUR55 million, and his current deal is expected to expire in the summer of 2025. Despite the fact that he has a year left on his existing deal, Fernandes is still a highly valuable member of the squad. Manchester United are preparing to lose France international Paul Pogba as a free agent after his contract expires in June.
The club’s transfer policy is not very clear. There have been rumours of a sale, but the club are not keen to sell the player. According to The Guardian, Sporting Lisbon are demanding PS70m for Fernandes, which is considerably higher than United are prepared to pay. However, it’s not clear who will make the winning bid for Fernandes, despite speculation from all corners.
Ronaldo has not returned to preseason training with the rest of the team
Juventus are reportedly interested in signing Cristiano Ronaldo, but the Portuguese winger has not yet agreed to terms with the Red Devils. Ronaldo is not included in the squad for United’s pre-season tour in Australia and Thailand. The reasons for his absence from the tour include personal reasons. The Portuguese international has not been available for an interview with the club’s official website.
The stand-off between the club and the Portuguese superstar has become more damaging as the new season approaches. Although Ronaldo has been unable to attend pre-season training with United, the stand-off between him and the club is continuing to impact his performances. Although the club and Ronaldo have tried to distance themselves from the situation, they have repeatedly stated that the striker will be back on the pitch before the Premier League season starts.
If the Portuguese international decides to leave, United will need to improve their defense. Although the three defenders leaving will not be missed, it will be difficult to attract new players to the club. Ronaldo’s goal scoring may suffer as he approaches the age of 40, but it’s hard to predict what happens next. But he is still a top player for United and his goal scoring could make up for his growing incapacity elsewhere.
Erik ten Hag’s unhappiness with his players
The latest media reports suggest that Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is unhappy with his squad, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that he is unhappy with his team. If he is unhappy, it isn’t because the players are not good enough. The manager has made it clear that he wants to improve the team’s performance. It has been suggested that he wants to sell Cristiano Ronaldo, who has struggled to find the right combination. But that’s a different story.
Despite his unhappiness with his players, there have been several positives for Ten Hag. The first thing that he did when he joined Manchester United was implement gruelling training exercises. This included laying down strict rules for the players. The team responded positively to these rules. The training sessions are known to be passing-heavy and Erik ten Hag is not happy with mistakes.
The next step is to cut at least five or six first team players. It’s highly likely that Ten Hag will cut players who are not resolute, popular, or commercially important. If he does that, United are almost certain to repeat their mistakes. In the meantime, the team has an excellent pre-season record. Despite the criticisms, it’s still a good start.
Darwin Nunez’s move to Benfica
The Spanish midfielder has completed his switch from Liverpool to Benfica, according to a report. The Portuguese club finished third in the Portuguese league last season. The signing of Darwin Nunez would have cost Benfica at least PS75 million, but the initial fee could be as much as EUR100 million. Depending on how well he performs, Benfica could make around PS85 million on the deal, which is a record for a player signing to the Premier League.
It is understood that Nunez will make around EUR100m in the transfer deal, with a contract expiring in 2028. Nunez’s move to Liverpool is being seen as a counterweight to the move of Man City. Nunez has a strong scoring record for Benfica, with 34 goals in 41 appearances last season. He scored twice against Liverpool in the Champions League. However, the amount remains uncertain, as the deal is subject to international clearance and work permit requirements.
The Uruguayan forward has been linked with a move to Benfica. However, his path to superstardom has not been the conventional route. He came up through Penarol, then joined Spanish second-tier club Almeria for PS3.4 million. After being scouted by United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, Nunez was reportedly offered a move to Benfica for a reported EUR100 million.
Christian Eriksen’s move to Benfica
The future of Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United has been in doubt for some time, but there are many reasons why the Dane could make the move to Benfica. Firstly, Ronaldo has been unhappy with his playing time at Manchester United in recent seasons. The Portuguese striker has been a key part of the Red Devils’ title success, but he is unlikely to be happy playing in the Europa League. As a result, Eriksen has become a target for Manchester United.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s health is a huge concern for Manchester United, but the Portuguese club is keen to protect their star. The club are keen to sign a world class holding midfielder to replace Ronaldo and the club are preparing a stringent medical. Christian Eriksen will undergo a medical this week in order to reaffirm his commitment to Manchester United.
The Dane will be making a decision on a new club soon. While he has been linked with Manchester United and Benfica, his interest in Newcastle has been cooled. The player is reportedly keen to join a bigger club that guarantees Champions League football next term. It is also possible that he could join a Premier League club if his deal fails.
Erik ten Hag’s plans for Manchester United
Unlike most managers, Erik ten Hag has not sounded out his players ahead of the transfer window. He has instead been appointing a squad that has a high chance of success, and that includes some players that you might not have thought of before. However, one player who should have made the cut is Fred, who is expected to play in a deeper role in midfield this season. Although he is not exactly a top centre-half, he has a unique combination of ability, making him an important part of the team’s plans.
The first thing to consider is Ten Hag’s timetable for success. As a manager, he will need to produce some tangible results fast. But it is unlikely that the Dutchman will be able to achieve this in a month. According to reports, the former Ajax coach has already told United’s hierarchy that an immediate Premier League challenge is not realistic. His assessment was echoed by the likes of football director John Murtough, technical director Darren Fletcher and CEO Richard Arnold. Ten Hag will be in charge of the playing staff following the Crystal Palace match.
The new manager has reformed the recruitment department to better suit his goals. While the former Leicester City manager supported Maguire as captain, the United coach will use his first two seasons at Old Trafford as a determining factor in whether or not he can make the move. In fact, there is speculation that Barcelona could sell De Jong this summer. But if Barcelona fail to qualify for the Champions League, it will count against him.
