Erik ten Hag, manager of Manchester United, speaks at a press conference at Carrington Training Ground in Manchester, England, August 12, 2022. /CFP
Erik ten Hag, manager of Manchester United, has suggested that he hadn't heard directly from Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been reportedly seeking to leave Old Trafford for months, that the Portuguese star wants to go.
When asked about Ronaldo's situation at a press conference on Friday, ten Hag said it's only the reporter's "assumption" that Ronaldo wants to join another club.
"That is your assumption [that Ronaldo wants to leave] – that is not what he is telling me," the manager said. "I deal with the players we have and we plan with him for this season and we are happy with him and we have to fit him into the team so he has to come at the right fitness levels so that he can do the job that we expect him to do."
Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester Unitedin action in the Premier League game against Brighton at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, August 7, 2022. /CFP
While Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes were negotiating possible transfers with different clubs, United remained determined to keep him.
"In every press conference we already confirmed that he is in our plans. We plan with him so we also plan around him," ten Hag said.
United had a very disappointing season in the 2021-22 campaign when they finished sixth and, as a result, missed UEFA Champions League qualification for this season. The club's expensive, bloated underperforming squad was one of the major reasons behind their failure. They began to streamline the roster but have been slow acquiring new blood.
Players of Manchester United in practice at Carrington Training Ground in Manchester, England, August 10, 2022. /CFP
"It's really complicated but I think we are really happy with what we have done until now. They [new signings] have to be good and fit into the team," ten Hag said. "I would say panic isn't the right word. It's more like, 'come on, we have to act.' We have to think bright and do the right things."
United lost to Brighton 2-1 in their first game of the 2022-23 Premier League season, with Ronaldo coming off the bench. They meet Brentford at Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday.