'Have to get rid' - Manchester United fans react to Cristiano Ronaldo's Antonio Conte decision

The Manchester Evening News understands that Erik ten Hag is set to be appointed as the next permanent manager of Manchester United meaning the club have finally found their successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Norwegian was removed from the dugout back in November, but with a lack of viable options available mid-season, they decided to appoint Ralf Rangnick as interim manager.

However, when there were first murmurs that United were planning to remove Solskjaer, there was one elite candidate available. Antonio Conte was out of a job after leaving Inter Milan in the summer and many fans saw him as the ideal candidate to take over at Old Trafford and get the team's season back on track.

The club obvious didn't go down that path and decided against appointing Conte, who was then snapped up by Tottenham Hotspur a few weeks later. The club ultimately decided that the Italian did not fit the current squad and had the potential to leave the club after only a few seasons, but was there another reason?

READ MORE: United to defy players with Erik ten Hag appointment after past Cristiano Ronaldo approach

The Manchester Evening News understands that Cristiano Ronaldo was vocal in opposition to the appointment of Conte and made his feelings known to the board. He had also reportedly been asked about his opinions about Solskjaer before his eventual sacking.

Since returning, Ronaldo has scored important goals but has had problems. On the pitch, he has struggled to adhere to the playstyle asked of him by Rangnick and off the pitch, some actions have not endeared him to the same fanbase that worshipped the ground he walked on more than a decade ago.

Fans have questioned whether the move that saw him return to Old Trafford last summer