MANCHESTER UNITED have dropped their strongest hint yet that Cristiano Ronaldo WON’T be sold this winter.
The club legend wanted to leave Old Trafford in the summer to play Champions League football but was blocked by defiant Red Devils’ boss Erik ten Hag.
A January departure has been mooted, although the latest mural adorning the Theatre of Dreams suggests he won’t be sold.
The Portugal international was included in the club’s iconic No.7 poster – which included players of yesteryear who had worn the legendary shirt.
The poster also included images of David Beckham, Eric Cantona and Ella Toone.
Ronaldo recently returned to the starting XI following a stint on the bench, in which he refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham.
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The Portuguese apologised for his actions, which haven’t changed Ten Hag’s stance on retaining his services.
The Dutchman said: “I count on Cristiano.”
When asked if he thinks Ronaldo will stay or if he wants him to be here for the remainder of the season, he replied: “Both.”
Ronaldo and his United team-mates suffered an embarrassing 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday night.
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Ten Hag said: “We lose the game at the start of the first half and second half, that is unacceptable.
“They looked fresher, more ready. The result is clear, it never lies. In football, you always get your own earnings. Today we were not good enough.
“After a long time this has happened, I said it was up to us.
“We didn’t keep the ball, we didn’t get the right organisation, didn’t follow the rules and lost battles. Our players have experience.
“You have to read the game, get the right organisation and not concede two goals.
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“That was totally unnecessary. We need to be sharper.
“You have to be compact and stand on the ball. Everyone has to win their own battles, we didn’t, that is disappointing.”
