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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

Ralf Rangnick assistant tells Manchester United how to solve Cristiano Ronaldo transfer problem

Former Manchester United assistant manager Chris Armas believes the club needs to do everything within their power to keep hold of Cristiano Ronaldo this summer.

The Portuguese international — who returned to Old Trafford from Juventus almost a year ago — wants to leave the club this summer in pursuit of Champions League football. United missed out on a spot in Europe's premier club competition this coming season, finishing sixth in the Premier League last term.

Several clubs have been linked with Ronaldo's signature, including Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Sporting Lisbon, but options appear to be running out for him with less than a month to go until the transfer window closes. After missing the pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia due to 'personal reasons,' the 37-year-old made his first appearance of pre-season on Sunday, starting the 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford.

READ MORE: Manchester United's best 20-man matchday squad for Brighton fixture

Manager Erik ten Hag has underlined his desire to keep Ronaldo this summer and get the chance to work with him. And for former United assistant boss Armas — who served under ex-interim manager Ralf Rangnick — the club needs to keep hold of the talismanic Portuguese international.

"When you talk about, at the highest level, seeing a professional and what winning means to Cristiano, and what scoring goals still means to him, he is in the team and is still a big part of the team," Armas told Sky Sports. "He is also a guy that still produces.

"It would be my job to figure out how to get all of that talent, fire, experience of winning and challenge him as much as I could. I think the most the most important thing is to engage with Cristiano; he has got so much to give.

"His commitment to winning and scoring... each guy has their own type of leadership and he can certainly be a leader in his way. My goal, like everyone on the roster, would be how to get the most out of Cristiano, so I do think it needs a hands-on approach, speaking with him, bringing him into the office and asking him questions, so that he is part of the solution and the success."

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