Cristiano Ronaldo happy to stay at Manchester United and excited to work under Erik ten Hag
- Planet Sport writer
- 3 June 2022
Despite rumours of Cristiano Ronaldo eyeing up the exit at Old Trafford, the Portuguese striker inisists he's happy to stay with Manchester United for the upcoming season.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Old Trafford homecoming didn't quite go to plan last season. On a personal level, the 37-year-old scored 24 goals for the Red Devils, but United endured a frustrating campaign, finishing sixth in the Premier League.
Erik ten Hag has now been appointed manager for next season, but with the Dutchman typically preferring a high-octane pressing style, many predicted that Ronaldo may be pushed out of Manchester this summer.
But the Portuguese striker seemed to rubbish those rumours earlier this week, suggesting he was ready to stay at Old Trafford for the final year of his contract next season.
Speaking to the club's media team, Ronaldo said "For me, the most important thing is to try to win the games and try to win some championship or some cup but I believe that Manchester will be where they belong.
"As I say before, sometimes it takes time but I still believe."
"I was happy of course, to be back in a club that really raised my career so it was unbelievable, the feeling when I came back again. It was nice to feel the supporters, the happiness of them was great.
"I was and still am very happy to be here.
"And what I have to say to the fans is they are amazing even when you lost games they always support us, they're always are with us. The supporters are always in my heart and it's the people that we all should respect because they are always on our side."
Ronaldo also touched upon Ten Hag's managerial appointment, and was full of praise for the 52-year-old.
"I knew he did a fantastic job for Ajax and that he's an experienced coach but we need to give him time and things need to change they way he wants," he said in a video posted on the club's Twitter account.
"I hope we have success of course because if you have success, all of Manchester are going to have success as well. So I wish him the best.
"We are happy and excited - not only the players, but the supporters as well.
"I wish him the best and let's believe that next year we're going to win trophies.
Ronaldo's future in Manchester seems secured, but Ten Hag's clearout at Old Trafford has already begun, with Nemanja Matic, Lee Grant, Juan Mata, Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba already confirmed to have left the club.
