Three Manchester United transfer issues Erik Ten Hag must sort by tomorrow

Erik ten Hag has had a memorable transfer window so far, but Thursday will determine whether it has been truly successful.

The Manchester United boss has managed to bring in a defensive midfielder that was so needed, albeit Casemiro was not his first choice. Tyrell Malacia’s acquisition looks clever, as does the free signing of Christian Eriksen.

Lisandro Martinez may not have been the centre-half fans were expecting at Old Trafford but he has gone down a hit with fans, some of whom are glad to see Harry Maguire benched in favour of the Argentine.

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Antony’s imminent arrival will be determined in time given his plus-£80m fee but it pleased supporters to see a new attacking threat within their ranks. Martin Dubravka is also a solid short-term back-up option for David de Gea.

However three issues remain, one of which is pivotal.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s future

Ten Hag insists that Cristiano Ronaldo has not told him personally he wishes to leave the club, despite submitting a transfer request earlier this summer. The unsettled superstar signed a two-year deal last August and scored 24 goals in his homecoming campaign.

But United’s low chances of silverware this season and a squad-wide 25 per cent salary cut prompted by their failure to qualify for this term’s Champions League has left Ronaldo unhappy. The issue has been that there seems to be few options open to him away from Old Trafford.

Ten Hag says Ronaldo is still in his plans, albeit hasn’t started the striker in United’s last two matches. An exit isn’t totally off the table, though, with Napoli interested in a move, but the odds are reduced.

Ten Hag must decide whether to risk keeping a discontented icon around a squad whose