'That attitude' - Man United boss Erik ten Hag told how to resolve Cristiano Ronaldo transfer dilemma

Graeme Souness has urged Erik ten Hag to do all he can to keep Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United this summer.

Speculation continues over the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s future at Old Trafford, with Ronaldo having told United earlier this summer he wants to leave the club. The Portugal international has made his desire to continue playing Champions League football clear following the Reds’ failure to qualify for this season’s competition.

United though are adamant Ronaldo is not for sale, with the 37-year-old still holding a year on his contract following his return to the club last summer. Ronaldo though continues to be heavily linked with a move away before the end of the transfer window.

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The forward was in action on Sunday, coming on as a second-half substitute during United’s 2-1 opening day defeat to Brighton. Ronaldo cut a frustrated and animated figure on the bench as the Reds fell 2-0 down in the first half at Old Trafford.

In his absence, Christian Eriksen was deployed as a false nine, with Ten Hag’s plan proving unsuccessful. Former Liverpool midfielder and Sky Sports pundit Souness has therefore insisted the United boss needs to do all he can to retain Ronaldo’s services.

“A manager can only look to the next two or three games, time is not your friend,” Souness told talkSPORT. “If Ronaldo’s there you’ve got a chance of scoring goals that equates to winning games of football.

“Without Ronaldo there, who’s your goal-getter? Who’s going to be the difference in games? I don’t see anyone else being that man.

“I just think for having someone with that stature, that attitude to our game, you’ve got to have him there. I