Erik ten Hag may be about to take on his first real media storm as manager of Manchester United as speculation surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's club future continues to circulate.
News broke last week that the 37-year-old has informed the Old Trafford hierarchy that he wishes to leave United if a club with Champions League football makes a sufficient bid for his services. Ronaldo's wish to depart is thought to stem from United's inactivity in the transfer market so far this summer window.
It may come as a surprise to the United faithful given new boss Ten Hag has been hard at work trying to secure the signatures of multiple players and appears to finally be making some progress. Dutch left-back Tyrell Malacia has already undergone his United medical, while a verbal agreement has been reached with Christian Eriksen.
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is expected to come soon after given United agreed a fee of £67million plus add-ons for the Netherlands international. Brazilian winger Antony could also make the move to Manchester if the club can match Ajax's steep asking price.
All of this would suggest Ronaldo's accusations of United not displaying the required ambition are unfounded, but the fact remains that last season's top-scorer wants out. So much so in fact, that he has not turned up for the first two days of pre-season training - citing family reasons as the explanation for his absence.
Footage soon circulated of what is alleged to be Ronaldo driving out of the Portuguese national team's training facilities, which would of course mean he is not even in the country and could therefore be days before he does return to Carrington.
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All of this points to Ten Hag having quite the dilemma on his hands in the coming weeks as he aims to juggle pursuing new players, taking charge of his first pre-season at the club and now dealing with relentless rumours over Ronaldo.
The Dutchman will do well to avoid handling the saga surrounding Ronaldo better than the Portuguese icon's last club Juventus. It was an eerily similar situation for the Turin-based titans as Ronaldo had voiced his desire for a new challenge elsewhere.
Keen to keep hold of him, Juventus briefed the media that all was well behind the scenes with manager Max Allegri even telling reporters: "Ronaldo has told me he is staying so let's get that straight."
Just days later, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's return to Old Trafford was confirmed, sparking a frenzy of fanfare and adoration from the United faithful. 12 months later, things have turned desperately sour as Ronaldo angles for a move away following the club's worst campaign of the Premier League-era.
As expected, there are hardly a shortage of potential suitors keen to take Ronaldo off of United's hands. Bayern Munich have been linked, while Paris Saint-Germain are taken by the idea of having both Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the same starting eleven.
The most surprising club interested are fellow Premier League giants Chelsea, who are also thought to be leading the charge for his signature at this stage. New Blues owner Todd Boehly is thought to have held a meeting with super-agent and Ronaldo's representative Jorge Mendes, during which the idea of a Stamford Bridge switch was brought up.
Given Chelsea's place in the Champions League next term, there is every chance Ronaldo actively pushes for a move to one of United's direct Premier League rivals this summer with one year left on his Red Devils deal still to run.
