Erik ten Hag 'wants Cristiano Ronaldo to stay' at Manchester United

Erik ten Hag reportedly wants to keep veteran star Cristiano Ronaldo when he takes over as Manchester United manager in the summer.

Ten Hag's appointment at Old Trafford has fuelled speculation over the future of Ronaldo, who is under contract until June 2023 after making a sensational return to the club last year.

United will be in the market for a striker in the transfer window as part of their rebuild under Ten Hag but the Dutchman is keen for the 37-year-old to stay at the club, according to the Telegraph.

The newspaper reported Ten Hag believes it would not make sense to let Ronaldo, United's top-scorer this season with 24 goals in 37 appearances in all competitions, follow several other players out of the exit door.

He is likely to be one of the first senior players Ten Hag speaks to once he has taken the reins at Old Trafford.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who turns 38 in February, insisted he did not say 'I'm not finished' during his lap of honour after Manchester United's 3-0 win over Brentford on Monday night - despite appearing to give a defiant message over his future.

The decision to bring Ronaldo back to the club has divided fans and pundits. He has left some infuriated over his temperament and attitude - storming off the pitch after some defeats and recently slapping a mobile phone out of a young fan's hand.

But on the pitch his quality has largely done the talking. He dragged United through the group stages of the Champions League and has scored two hat-tricks this year - in victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich.

It had been claimed that Ronaldo is uncertain about the role he might play in the planned revolution at United, who have gone five years without a trophy and are set to miss out on qualification for the Champions League.

Ronaldo has been a mainstay of the side under interim boss Ralf Rangnick, but Ten Hag is believed to be planning for a future built on high energy and youth - which may limit his playing time.

Bringing in another attacker in the summer could also have an impact on Ronaldo next season, while it had been thought the failure to secure a place in Europe's top club competition might lead to the Portuguese deciding to leave the club.

Ronaldo had hoped to challenge for trophies with United after resigning for the Red Devils in a shock move last summer.

But that has not materialised as United have endured an abysmal campaign, which has included heavy defeats at the hands of Manchester City and Liverpool and early exits from cup competitions.

Ronaldo has also been the subject of rumoured interest from Real Madrid, who bought him from United for a then world record fee of £80million in 2009.

A host of United players are expected to depart at the end of the season, including Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani and Jesse Lingard, while there are doubts over the futures of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata, who are out of contract in June, have confirmed they are leaving.