Cristiano Ronaldo’s United team-mates were left with the impression that the forward would look to move this summer if the club failed to qualify for the Champions League, and at the turn of the year stories about him considering his future emerged
Rangnick publicly stated that no player should be kept against his will and, privately, went stronger.
On more than one occasion Rangnick proposed to football director John Murtough and chief executive officer Richard Arnold that Ronaldo be sold, and replaced, during the January transfer window. There were said to be several emails and messages on this topic.
Rangnick felt that as Ronaldo’s time at United was uncertain beyond the end of the season, it made sense to act sooner rather than later to reconfigure the side’s attack
Additionally, Rangnick believed Ronaldo did not represent United’s long-term success and that recruiting a player more suited to his high-pressing style might produce immediate dividends for the second half of the campaign. Murtough and Arnold resisted.
