Ronaldo informed Manchester United officials of his desire to leave for Champions League football at the start of the summer, but the Portugal international has struggled to find any clubs interested in signing him.
The Hag insisted to reporters that he and Ronaldo ‘are on the same page’ and that the 37-year-old has agreed to stay at Old Trafford ‘a number of times’.
“We said from the beginning we were going to plan with him,” Ten Hag said. “I think we’re happy with him, he’s happy to be here and we want this season to be successful together.”
The Hag was also asked about his system and whether Ronaldo is receptive to his tactics, to which he replied: “Yes. Transparent. That’s why we talk. I said we are on the same page and he knows what the demand is.
“He’ll fit in because he’s – I don’t need to explain – a great player. He’s got great skills so he’ll fit into any system or any style.”
Ronaldo was initially desperate to leave United this summer, with his agent Jorge Mendes offering his services to dozens of clubs including Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid.
Despite some clubs registering preliminary interest, most teams accepted that signing Ronaldo would be financially difficult due to his high wages.
United initially took the view at their briefing that bids for Ronaldo would not be considered, but changed their stance after their dismal start to the season, losing their first two Premier League games.
Some figures at the club believed that selling Ronaldo would lift spirits in the dressing room due to his negative influence on the training ground.
However, United’s win over Liverpool and the £70m signing of Casemiro encouraged Ronaldo and the investment, coupled with a lack of interest in him, meant he was more willing to reconsider his options.
Ronaldo has come off the bench in three of United’s four games this season as he struggles to regain fitness after missing most of his side’s pre-season campaign.
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