Rio makes Ronaldo prediction after Man Utd spell ends ‘perfect run’

Rio Ferdinand “can’t see” Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Man Utd in the summer transfer window despite his “burning desire” to win trophies.

The Portugal star scored a wonderful hat-trick as the Red Devils beat Tottenham 3-2 in the Premier League 12 days ago but drew a blank as Ralf Rangnick’s side crashed out of the Champions League to Atletico Madrid a fortnight ago.

Ronaldo has scored 18 goals in 32 appearances this term but, aside from the hat-trick against Spurs, has struggled to hit top form in recent months.

There have been many rumours that Ronaldo will attempt to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season if Man Utd fail to qualify for the Champions League.

A left-field contender for Man Utd, in defence of Qatar, and more mails…

But former Man Utd centre-back Ferdinand can’t see his former team-mate leaving the Premier League club this summer.

“I can’t see him leaving,” Ferdinand said on talkSPORT. “I think even if Manchester United do not finish in the top four, I think Cristiano has got to stay for another year.

“Yes he wants to compete, he has that burning desire to want to win trophies. He is used to doing that, he is used to winning things but it can’t always be perfect.

“He’s had a perfect run, almost, for his career and for Ronaldo to not have the Champions League music running through his ears on a European night… I don’t know what he will think if he has to hear some other soundtrack.”

On United’s search for a new manager, Ferdinand added: “None of us have got an answer where we’re all going ‘Oh, that’s the definite person’. I think there would be shouts for people like [Mauricio] Pochettino, I’m sure, obviously [Erik] ten Hag. They’re the two frontrunners people are talking about.

“Listen, it’s a toss of a