Man Utd ‘looking to replace Ronaldo in January’ at Old Trafford

Manchester United’s termination of Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract may be the best thing that could happen during Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge at Old Trafford, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Red Devils announced on Tuesday evening that the player and club had agreed to a mutual termination of contract with immediate effect.

What’s the latest with Ronaldo?

Ronaldo is currently on World Cup duty with Portugal in Qatar, after a whirlwind couple of weeks following an explosive interview with Piers Morgan.

Within the interview, he criticised multiple aspects of the club including the ownership, and the management of Erik ten Hag, leaving his position at the club looking untenable after the World Cup reaches its conclusion.

Manchester United will now look to move on and put the incident past them when the team regroup for their Carabao Cup tie with Burnley on 21^st December, whilst Ronaldo will be hoping he can secure a new club by the turn of the year.

But Jones believes that the incident could be the catalyst that brings everybody at the club together and allow them to press on in both the Premier League and cup competitions.

What has Jones said about Manchester United?

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “The announcement has come swiftly and that’s great news for Man Utd fans as there is no doubt the club are now looking to fill Ronaldo’s spot as soon as the January window opens.

“It’s a really messy ending but it might be the best thing that happens to their season.

“It could be a catalyst that brings everyone together.”

Who could replace Ronaldo?

The most exciting name linked with a move to Old Trafford is that of Paris Saint-Germain and France forward Kylian Mbappé, who is rumoured to be looking for a move away from the Ligue 1 club in January, despite only signing a new deal with the club in May of this year, according to The Mirror, though it would likely take a bid of £150m+ to secure his services.

The same outlet also goes on to suggest that Napoli and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen could also be an option for the Red Devils, with the Serie A club expecting multiple £60m+ offers for the 23-year-old in January.

Former forward Memphis Depay could be on the Old Trafford club’s radar, with the Netherlands star admitting that he is unsure where his future lies after having been something of an outcast for Barcelona this season.

And according to sources in CalcioMercato (via The Sun), the 28-year-old’s Netherlands teammate in Cody Gakpo has also emerged as a target for ten Hag’s side but the club will face Premier League competition for his signature in the form of Arsenal, Leeds United, Liverpool, Southampton and West Ham United.

Therefore, it seems as though Ronaldo’s exit from Old Trafford may just pave the way for United to bring in another forward, in a move in which ten Hag will hope transforms the club’s season, with a top-four spot in the Premier League and a trophy having to be the realistic aims going into the second half of the campaign.

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