Sky Sports reporter drops transfer update after Cristiano Ronaldo exit

Manchester United were not expecting a busy transfer window at Old Trafford before Cristiano Ronaldo‘s exit, says Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

The Red Devils could now enter the market for a new striker, with manager Erik ten Hag confirming that they want a replacement for Ronaldo.

Man United transfer news

When asked if he was looking to buy a new forward following Ronaldo’s departure, Ten Hag told The Athletic and other outlets at United’s warm-weather training camp: “Yes, but only when we find the right player. We will do everything in our power.

“We are doing research at every opportunity and we will do everything we can [to sign them] if that opportunity is there.”

Sheth recently told GIVEMESPORT that Ten Hag could make a real push for PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo in January.

Gakpo is a winger by trade but played up front a few times for the Netherlands at the World Cup in Qatar, as per Transfermarkt, so he could be an option. The 23-year-old really impressed during the tournament, scoring three goals in five games.

What has Dharmesh Sheth said about Man United and Cristiano Ronaldo?

Sheth says United were not planning to be busy during the January transfer window.

Speaking to GMS about the Manchester club and Ronaldo, the Sky Sports reporter said: “The information I was getting in the last couple of months before all of the hoo-ha with Ronaldo started to manifest itself was that they weren’t expecting to be that busy during January, although the one big story would be about a departure and it happened to be the most famous player in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo. That’s how it’s transpired.”

Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know

How did Cristiano Ronaldo perform at the World Cup?

Ronaldo was not an automatic starter under Ten Hag this season. As per Transfermarkt, he was named in the Dutchman’s first XI on just four occasions in the Premier League.

And at the World Cup, under Fernando Santos, it was also a similar story. The 37-year-old was left on the bench for his nation’s two knockout games against Switzerland and Morocco.

In total, Ronaldo made five appearances but managed just the one goal (also via Transfermarkt), a penalty against Ghana at the beginning of the tournament.

Ultimately, then, it is probably a World Cup for Ronaldo to forget and almost certain to be his last one given the former United star’s age.

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