Manchester United interim coach Ralf Rangnick has stated that he will hold a discussion with the club’s new coach Erik ten Hag and the board over the future of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo’s contract is set to expire at the end of next season. The Portugal international returned to Man United at the start of the season on a two-year deal from Juventus.
The 37-year-old has netted 17 goals in 28 league appearances this season. Only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has scored more league goals this term.
“This is something that we should speak about between Erik and the board and myself,” Rangnick told reporters when asked about Ronaldo’s future.
“Cristiano has another year of contract. It is also important to find out what he wants if he wants to stay.”
Rangnick told Sky Sports in a separate interview that the final decision was out of his hands.
“In the end, it’s both Erik’s and also Ronaldo’s decision what they want to do,” he said. “It is not for me to speak about that”
With Ronaldo scoring eight of United’s last nine league goals, Rangnick conceded that team are too reliant on him but said the club would focus on signing new strikers in the summer.
“Right now, we very much rely on Cristiano, he also showed a good performance when Chelsea were in possession,” Rangnick added. “But there has to be a focus on bringing in a couple of new strikers for sure.”
Dutchman Ten Hag will replace Rangnick on the bench at the end of the season.
Man United are sixth in the league on 55 points, five points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, who have two games in hand.
