A new route opens for Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Man Utd but one stumbling block could scupper winter exit
Report to take Cristiano Ronaldo Inter Miami next year
A report claims that David Beckham wants to take Cristiano Ronaldo to Inter Miami next year and is willing to pay him a huge annual salary for his services.
The 37-year-old Ronaldo was relegated to the bench by Old Trafford boss Erik ten Hague. And there is a growing opinion that the Portuguese captain will seek to leave in the winter transfer window. A recent report claims he has major issues with his manager and is unwilling to spend the rest of the campaign playing a part-time role.
The pair’s relationship took a turn for the worse when Ronaldo made it clear he wanted out last summer. Although he scored 24 goals during his first season at the Theater of Dreams, that was it.
The Hag continues to support the former Real Madrid ace, stressing that he is not unhappy at the club. But there is no smoke without fire, and a player of Ronaldo’s stature clearly needs to play regularly.
Former Red Devils star Phil Neville manages Inter Miami. And with Beckham pulling the strings behind the scenes, Ronaldo’s connection to the Florida franchise is obvious.
The report adds that the MLS group is willing to pay the veteran player around £30m a year to move stateside.
But there could be a stumbling block in finalizing any offseason deal.
Ronaldo’s price tag is a problem for Miami
Ronaldo is out of contract in June after signing a two-year deal in the summer of 2021.
There is an option for another year, but The Hag will not want to keep a disgruntled player at the club.
Miami might try to get a deal done in January, but that would mean parting with some cash. That could end their interest over the winter, as the report adds that the American club is unwilling to pay the fee.
Manchester United do not want to lose their talisman for anything and therefore could listen to offers from other clubs at the beginning of the new year.
But the decision will ultimately be up to the player. It is unclear whether he will stick with a European club or see out his playing years in MLS.
That Hag probably won’t budge over Ronaldo’s attitude
The report suggested that Ronaldo’s main complaint about his current manager is that he is too stubborn.
It is also claimed that the former Juventus hitman feels that The Hag is obsessed with playing the Ajax way.
Whatever the verity, it seems likely that Ronaldo will be on the bench as United faces Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.
The North West giants will be hoping to bounce back from their 6-3 loss to Manchester City last time out in the league.
During the week they managed a comeback 3-2 over Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia. Marcus Rashford was the hero as two second-half goals spared United blushes.
Ronaldo was given the full 90 minutes but failed to find the net despite several decent opportunities.
It is possible that his main contribution in this period is in the second-tier European competition.
It’s nothing he’s familiar with, having graced the Champions League throughout his glittering career. They wouldn’t offer him that level of football across the pond either.
But the opportunity to play regularly at a fledgling club starting its professional journey may appeal to the hapless superstar.