Manchester United have been told to sell "unhappy" Cristiano Ronaldo - despite the fact that he cannot be replaced.
That is the verdict from former Chelsea star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who reckons that the funds garnered from a sale could still be utilised to bolster the squad. The Portugal international has made it clear that he wants to leave this summer after the Red Devils missed out on the Champions League last season.
Despite finishing as the club's top scorer with 24 in all competitions, the 37-year-old has told United that he does not have long left in his peak and wants to spend what time he has battling it out for the top prizes. After ending the season in sixth, United will be plying their trade in the Europa League - a competition Ronaldo has no interest in.
The likes of Chelsea and Bayern Munich are the strongest linked clubs, while Napoli and AS Roma have also been tentatively mentioned as potential destinations. However, United have insisted he is not for sale, but that is a position that Hasselbaink believes should be reconsidered.
He said: "You do not want an unhappy player - especially a player of that calibre. You want him to be happy. If you are going to work with Ronaldo you know that you are going to build your team around him.
"But if he is not happy, on the amount of money that you pay, maybe use that for some other players and use it within the squad. You are not going to be able to replace him but you can make the team better in different places.
"I think if Ronaldo wants to go, then you let him go. He is at an age where maybe he can play one more year in the Champions League. So try and get as much money for him, sell him and try to build a squad and make the team stronger."
Ronaldo has made matters more difficult for United by refusing to turn up to training this week, though after citing family reasons this has been accepted by the club. Nevertheless, with his future up in the air, this is an unnecessary distraction.
The Red Devils are set to jet off to Australia and Thailand this Friday but there are serious worries that Ronaldo will not be on the plane when it takes off. As well as being a huge blow commercially, it would be devastating from a football point of view.
Ten Hag has yet to speak to the five-time Ballon d'Or winner and would have liked to have worked with him in training as he tries to bring his philosophy to the club. But this transfer saga is now likely to rage on all summer, overshadowing what is supposed to be a honeymoon period for the former Ajax manager.
