Sports
EPL: Neymar Makes Man United Four-Man List Of Players To Replace Ronaldo
English Premier League side, Manchester United are reportedly eyeing Brazilian international, Neymar as a possible replacement for their want-away striker, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Naija News understands that Neymar who currently plays for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain was named on the Red Devils’ four-man list as a succour in the front line should the Portuguese captain finally say bye to Old Trafford this summer.
According to the Mirror, apart from Neymar, Monaco’s Wissam Ben Yedder, Brentford hero, Ivan Toney and Stuttgart forward, Sasa Kalajdzic are options for the Red Devils in their quest for a suitable replacement for Ronaldo.
Erik ten Hag’s response to Ronaldo’s absence from training
There were speculations last week that United may penalize Ronaldo for refusing to resume training with his teammates.
Ronaldo was missing at the club’s pre-season training days ago. It was said in some quarters that the Portuguese player was attending to some family issues.
He was totally out of the tour to Thailand and Australia for personal reasons and has been training on his own in Portugal.
But with just a few days to the start of a new season, some sportsmen and fans of the Premier League club were calling for decisive action on the player.
Reacting, however, to the series of calls for action, Man United manager, Erik ten Hag said in an interview with the club’s journalists that he is more focused on players available and that whenever Ronaldo returns, they can look at how to integrate him.
The Dutch professional coach insists that he will focus on the players he has in the club for now rather than lose sleep over the absence of the Ballon d’Or awards winner.
“It is the same as last week,” Ten Hag responded when asked about the situation with Ronaldo.
“But concerning is maybe not the right word. I focus on the players who are there, they are doing really well, they are in good shape.
“I prefer to focus on that and develop that. I cannot wait for him to come in, then we will integrate him,” the manager had added.
Naija News understands that Ronaldo remains determined to quit playing for United this summer.
The player is eager to join another club in the quest to play in the UEFA Champions League.
The 37-year-old currently has a year left on his current deal with Man United. He has been linked earlier with a move to Atletico Madrid and Chelsea.
However, Atletico Madrid president, Enrique Cerezo has since ruled out any possibility of Ronaldo joining the Spanish club, insisting that it is practically impossible.