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Stuart Jamieson

Ronaldo targets trophies at Manchester United under ten Hag while Madrid call for final answers

Here are the latest Premier League headlines for Friday, June 3.

Ronaldo's trophy target

Cristiano Ronaldo says he is happy to be at Manchester United and has targeted winning trophies under Erik Ten Hag next season. The Portuguese's future has been in doubt after a terrible campaign for the club saw them finish sixth in the Premier League and miss out on Champions League football.

Ronaldo, 37, was the star performer with 24 goals and insists he is "still very happy" at Old Trafford and wants success under the new boss.

"I knew he did a fantastic job for Ajax and that he's an experienced coach but we need to give him time and things need to change they way he wants," he said in a video posted on the club's Twitter account. "I hope we have success of course because if you have success, all of Manchester are going to have success as well. So I wish him the best.

"We are happy and excited - not only the players, but the supporters as well. I wish him the best and let's believe that next year we're going to win trophies. For me, the most important thing is to try to win the games and try to win some championship or some cup but I believe that Manchester will be where they belong. As I say before, sometimes it takes time but I still believe."

It was not the Old Trafford homecoming that Ronaldo would have dreamed of when he returned last summer, even if his own performances dragged United into the top six. But his relationship with the fans never waned.

He added: "I was happy of course, to be back in a club that really raised my career so it was unbelievable, the feeling when I came back again. It was nice to feel the supporters, the happiness of them was great. I was and still am very happy to be here.

"And what I have to say to the fans is they are amazing even when you lost games they always support us, they're always are with us. The supporters are always in my heart and it's the people that we all should respect because they are always on our side."

Madrid question final venue

Real Madrid have questioned UEFA's decision to hold the Champions League final at the Stade de France and called for answers on the chaotic scenes outside before kick-off. The European governing body announced on Tuesday a comprehensive and independent review would be established to examine the access issues that led to fans being crushed and tear-gassed outside the stadium last Saturday.

UEFA initially blamed the late arrival of fans for the problems before later issuing a statement referring to fake tickets as the cause. French government ministers reiterated the latter claims, alleging "fraud at an industrial level" leading to the fiasco that followed.

Although it was Liverpool fans that were mainly affected, some Real Madrid supporters were caught up in the mayhem as well, leading to the Spanish club - that won the final 1-0 - to release a damning statement on Friday.

It read: "In light of the unfortunate events which took place on the 28th of May in the surroundings of and at access points to the Stade de France, and even inside the stadium itself, Real Madrid C. F. wishes to express the following in defence of our fans, who were victim to said events: We would like to know the reasons which led to this venue being chosen to host the final and the criteria used, taking into account the experiences of the day.

"Furthermore, we call for answers and explanations in order to determine those responsible for leaving the fans abandoned and defenceless. Fans who in general terms showed exemplary conduct at all times. We believe something which should have been a wonderful festival of football for all fans who attended the game, quickly turned into a series of unfortunate events which have caused a sense of outrage around the world.

"As was evident in the revealing images published by the media, several fans were attacked, harassed, assaulted and robbed in violent fashion. These occurrences continued as they moved in their cars or buses, causing concern for their physical well being. Certain fans even had to spend the night in hospital as a result of injuries.

"Football has transmitted an image to the world which is far away from the values and goals which it should pursue. Our fans and supporters deserve a response and those responsible to be held accountable in order for events like these to be eradicated from football and sport in general."

Real's response comes after Liverpool wrote to UEFA asking for clarity over how the planned report would be compiled. The Premier League club, having swiftly called for a full investigation into the fiasco after the game, have given that news only a cautious welcome, feeling that the European governing body needs to give more detail.

Tomori out to make his mark

Recalled defender Fikayo Tomori is determined to make his mark with England after shining for title-winning AC Milan, where his front-row seat for Italy's Euro 2020 celebrations has provided extra motivation. The 24-year-old has just helped the Rossoneri win Serie A for the first time since 2011, having flourished since switching Stamford Bridge for San Siro, initially on loan, at the start of last year.

Tomori earned plaudits aplenty in Italy but was largely overlooked by Gareth Southgate, who handed the Chelsea academy product his England debut against Kosovo in November 2019. The only call-up since then came last October, when the defender came off the bench against Andorra to win a second cap - a figure that will surely swell after being recalled for this month's Nations League matches.

"If I don't get called up, I'm not thinking 'ah, what's happening?"' Tomori said. "I've seen (Jadon) Sancho, Tammy (Abraham), Jude (Bellingham) - players who play abroad still getting called up so I wasn't panicking in that sort of sense or thinking 'what's going to happen if I don't get called up?' or whatever.

"I was just focusing on my own performance and helping Milan as much as possible. From there, if I do get called up, once I'm here, making sure I take the steps to stay here. That's been my mentality all the way through. I'm not putting too much pressure on myself, getting wound up about not being selected. It was just 'stay calm, keep doing what I'm doing' and then from there hopefully I can get in the squad.

"Being back into the set-up and having the opportunity to be here is nice for me. Hopefully I get the chance to play and give a good account of myself."

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