Super-agent Jorge Mendes spoke to Premier League high-flyers Newcastle in October regarding a potential January move for wantaway Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo, according to the Daily Mail.
Now, the report does not make clear exactly how Newcastle responded to such an opportunity.
But, given that the Magpies have tended to steer clear of this sort of signing since their Saudi Arabian takeover – prioritising up-and-coming talent a la Bruno Guimaraes and low-cost, low-risk additions such as Nick Pope – it’s hard to imagine Ronaldo ticking any of the available boxes.
Especially when you factor in the high-pressing, high-intensity football Eddie Howe has introduced to rather dazzling effect at St James’ Park. If Ronaldo cannot do the job Erik ten Hag wants him to do at Old Trafford, then it’s hard to imagine the 37-year-old thriving in black and white; club football’s greatest-ever goalscorer or otherwise.
Manchester United misfit Cristiano Ronaldo offered to Newcastle
Mendes, the Mail say, spoke to Newcastle in October.
The super-agent is now in negotiations with Bayern Munich. Options are understandably limited for a soon-to-be-38-year-old attacker on £500,000-a-week wages and boasting ego the size of the planet Venus. Ronaldo scored 24 goals for Manchester United last season. But his powers have been on the wane since then; Ronaldo’s usually ice-cool finishing skills deserting him whenever he’s been asked to contribute.
Ronaldo, let’s not forget, has had his fair share of chances under Ten Hag. His tally of starts across 2022/23 stands at 10 after all. In that time, he has just two goals from open play, squandering countless opportunities along the way.
The former Real Madrid, Sporting Lisbon and Juventus forward, in an interview with Piers Morgan on Talk TV, seemed to bring the curtain down on his Man United career in the most dissatisfactory fashion, highlighting his lack of respect for Ten Hag and further alienating a fanbase already irritated by his prima-donna antics.
“Yes (I believe I am being forced out),” Ronaldo claims. “Not only the coach, but another two or three guys around the club. I felt betrayed.
“People should listen to the truth. Yes, I felt betrayed. And I felt like some people don’t want me here, not only this year but last year too.
“I don’t have respect for (Ten Hag) because he doesn’t show respect for me. If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never gonna have respect for you.”
According to The Telegraph, Man United could now terminate Ronaldo’s contract. This should, in theory, ease the veteran striker’s ability to find new employment elsewhere.
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