Ten Hag: I had a really good conversation with Ronaldo

Manchester United play their first game of the pre-season against Liverpool in Bangkok on Tuesday. Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t travel with the squad for personal reasons, reportedly something relating to his family, which has further sparked rumours that he will be leaving the club this summer.

While Ronaldo confirmed at the end of last season that he would be staying, reports more recently claim that he asked to leave, although neither the club nor the player have confirmed this.

Speaking before tomorrow’s game, Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Ronaldo is in his plans for the season ahead and that he has had a good conversation with our no.7.

He is not with us, and it is due to personal reasons. We are planning with Cristiano Ronaldo for this season. That’s it and I’m looking forward to working with him.

Cristiano is not for sale. Cristiano is in our plans and we want to get success together. I had a good conversation with him and I had a really good talk. [The conversation] is between Cristiano and me. But what I can confirm is we had a really good conversation together.

Tyrell Malacia is the only new signing United have with them on tour so far but Ten Hag confirmed the club are in the hunt for midfielders and forwards in the transfer market, although wouldn’t comment specifically on Frenkie de Jong.

At my first press conference, I said already that definitely we are searching for players in the midfield and I think that we have a need. But also, in offence, we are still looking for players. We want to have the right players. We have a really good squad. We are working to develop our way of playing. If the opportunity is there [to sign players], then we will strike.

I never talk about players who are not under contract at Manchester United, players from different clubs. So I cannot tell you anything about this issue.