Its the transfer window’s deadline day and Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to escape Manchester United. The forward has been searching for a new club all summer long in his quest to continue to play in the Champions League. However, it has been rejection and dejection for the Portugal international who hasn’t found a new club as the deadline day has arrived. And so has Manchester United’s clash with Leicester City, which will take place on the ultimate day of the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils’ fans have been wondering whether or not the 37-year-old forward will feature against the Foxes or not. Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes has reportedly held talks with a host of clubs in order to facilitate his client’s last minute move to a ‘Champions League club’. However, there’s still now news of the former Real Madrid striker moving elsewhere before window shuts.
Question mark on Cristiano Ronaldo’s selection for the deadline-day fixture
Manchester United face Leicester on the deadline day as Erik ten Hag will be hoping to complete that hat-trick of wins after back-to-back triumphs over Liverpool and Southampton. Moreover, after United’s disastrous start to the season which saw them lose their first two games against Brighton and Brentford, a win against the Foxes could lay a foundation for a crunch September where they begin their Europa League campaign.
It is being speculated that Cristiano Ronaldo ‘will’ travel with the United squad to the King Power Stadium to face the Foxes. However, this could be a third consecutive time Ten Hag drops his Portuguese forward from the starting line-up. Ronaldo is yet to start a game for the Devils since that 4-0 humbling by Brentford on match-day two. Ten Hag has rather opted for a young and vibrant attack featuring Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Elanga and Bruno Fernandes.
His move has paid as well, with United picking two wins from two without Ronaldo starting up front. The youngsters went all guns blazing against the Liverpool at Old Trafford, and earned a hard-fought victory against the Saints. The Dutchman is slated to go with the momentum and opt for the same line-up against Leicester. As a result, Cristiano Ronaldo could once again resume his duty on the bench, coming-on late in the game.
On the other hand, The Sun reports the Portugal captain could ask the coach to drop him from the travelling squad altogether as he hopes to seal a move away from United in a last gasp attempt. Earlier reports suggested that Chelsea could finally rope in Ronaldo to lead their attack, if their deal for Barcelona striker Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang fails.
Meanwhile, Ten Hag has reiterated that Ronaldo will be a Red Devil post the deadline day, since they have plans in position with the inclusion of the 37-year-old. Speaking ahead of the trip to Leicester, Ten Hag said: “From the start we said we planned with Cristiano, it was clear. We are on the same page with him. We are happy with him, he’s happy to be here and we want to make the season a success together.”
Tricky hours ahead for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner as he yearns for Champions League football. Nonetheless, he could force a move out in the winter transfer market as well, post which the knockout rounds of the elite European competition commences. However, looking at the rejections he has faced from a host of clubs this summer which include the likes of Bayern Munich, PSG, Atletico Madrid, it would be difficult to see him join a Champions League club in January next year.