Erik ten Hag sends transfer message to Man Utd board amid Cristiano Ronaldo uncertainty

Erik ten Hag insists it’s vital Manchester United strengthen their forward line before the start of the Premier League season amid the continuing uncertainty surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo.

Despite his intention to quit Old Trafford just 12 months after his emotional homecoming, the 37-year-old looks increasingly likely to remain for another year with his potential escape routes diminishing by the day.

Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona have ruled themselves out of the running, while Atletico Madrid this week informed Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes they do not have the funds to facilitate a deal.

Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have also turned down the opportunity to sign the Portugal international as have United’s Premier League rivals Chelsea.

Ronaldo has played no part in United’s pre-season campaign thus far due to a family issue and it remains unclear as to when he will return to Manchester, let alone first team training.

Asked for an update on last season’s 24-goal top scorer, Ten Hag said: ‘No, it’s the same as last week.

‘Of course, concerning is not the right word, I focus on the players that are here. they are doing really well and they are in great shape. We will integrate him [Ronaldo].’

In Ronaldo’s absence, United’s attack has flourished in the games against Liverpool, Melbourne Victory and Crystal Palace, to such an extent that Ten Hag has decided that Anthony Martial will remain with the club after the France international spent six unhappy months on loan at Sevilla last term.

The chemistry between Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho has been a real feature of three successive wins which have yielded 11 goals, three of which coming from the apparently rejuvenated France international.

Ten Hag has