Gary Neville sends Cristiano Ronaldo transfer message to Man Utd board after Spurs heroics

Gary Neville has warned Manchester United that Cristiano Ronaldo will be the one deciding if he stays at the club next year and not the other way round.

The 37-year-old scored his 59th career hat-trick as he helped United climb back into the top four with a 3-2 win over Tottenham on Saturday evening.

Ronaldo’s suitability in United’s team has been questioned at times in recent months and there’s also suggestions he may not fit into the style of play for whichever manager takes over in the summer.

The former Real Madrid striker is under contract until the end of next season but Neville insists his former team-mate holds all the aces when it comes to deciding if he’ll be at Old Trafford next season.

‘There’s this looming decision at the end of the season,’ Neville said Sky Sports.

‘Is Cristiano Ronaldo going to be at Manchester United at the end of the season? Will Manchester United keep him?

‘It’s not in their gift, Ronaldo made that decision, he’s got another year left on his contract, it’s whether he wants to be here. Whether it’s the ‘project’ that some players like to say he believes in and is enjoying.

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‘His greatness and wants his career to be enjoyable, he’s demanding, he’s demanding, he wants to win every game. Obviously there’s elements he can’t do, I’ve contributed to that in this studio.

‘If Man United want to be a high-pressing team he’s probably not your man but it’s his decision whether he stays at Manchester United, not the other way round.’

The likes of PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino and Ajax’s Erik ten Hag are among the frontrunners to take charge of the Red Devils on a permanent basis in the summer.

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