Ronaldo returns to Man Utd training after being dropped
Manchester United have been urged to let Cristiano Ronaldo leave the club at the earliest possible opportunity amid his troublesome campaign. Ronaldo hasn't adapted well to being a bit-part player under Erik ten Hag and has been advised to buy out his own blockbuster contract to force an Old Trafford exit and save his twilight years.
Ronaldo enjoyed an impressive individual comeback campaign in 2021/22, scoring 24 goals in all competitions for United. But it's become clear that the Red Devils produce better team results when Ten Hag can field a dynamic, fluid attack rather than a system focused on feeding the 37-year-old, and his game time has heavily suffered as a result.
Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O'Hara has claimed that United are a 'different team' than the one Ronaldo saved numerous times last season. And he has even suggested that the Portuguese icon should use his riches to terminate his own deal if the club don't sanction a departure in January.
He said to Grosvenor Sport: "Let him go. You can see he's not happy. Erik ten Hag is not having him. I think the moment's gone; even Ronaldo knows that. He's come to United thinking it was going to be different, and it hasn't been. He wanted all the adulation for coming back to United, and he was the saviour in certain games last season. He was their top goal scorer, and he did give us some brilliant moments, especially at the start of the season.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been urged to pay out his own Man Utd contract. (Image: GETTY)
"But this season, it's completely different. United are a different team without him, and they do, as much as I love Ronaldo, look like a better team without him. He's just going to be a bit-part player, so for me, Manchester United need to let the man go and pay up his contract.
"Even Ronaldo could pay up his contract… Maybe he pays out his own contract and leaves because he'll go and earn that money somewhere else. United need to cut ties now and let him move on. He's 37 years of age; he's done everything in the game and achieved everything. He's not there to sit on the bench. Ronaldo can't be doing that. Just let him go."
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Cristiano Ronaldo is a bit-part player under Erik ten Hag. (Image: GETTY)
With 31 weeks remaining on his United contract, considering he earns an eye-watering £480,000 a week, Ronaldo would have to pay £14.9m to pave the way for his exit. But it's a price he could be willing to pay to cut short the nightmare end of his magical chapter in M16.
Ronaldo returned to training this week after Ten Hag suspended him for Saturday's trip to Chelsea as punishment for refusing to come on and leaving the stadium early against Tottenham Hotspur. He could be back in the starting line-up when Sheriff Tiraspol visit Old Trafford in the Europa League on Thursday night.