Rio Ferdinand makes bold claim about Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Man Utd | OneFootball

There are question marks over Cristiano Ronaldo’s future this summer. The 37-year-old has impressed this season despite Manchester United’s faltering form and is yet to commit his future to the club.

Ronaldo signed a two-year deal last summer with the option to extend that a further year but United’s failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League has thrown his future into doubt, with some suggesting that he could seek to join a new club.

Rio Ferdinand was heavily involved in the media frenzy leading up to his sensational unveiling in August last year and the former United defender has now made a bold claim about Ronaldo’s future, insisting he will ‘100%’ be sticking around to fulfill the second year of his contract.

“One hundred percent. 100 percent I think Cristiano will be at Manchester United,” Ferdinand said on his Vibe with Five show, via the Manchester Evening News. “I’ve said it before, I think his legacy, leaving here, will change from what he expected it to be.

Read more: Man Utd legend backs Cristiano Ronaldo to extend contract

“And he’ll be looking to do other things and leave a long-standing imprint beyond his playing days here. I think that’s in terms of influence on other young players and helping set the culture.

“The manager will help set that and I think he will want it implemented by particular players and Ronaldo will be one of them for obvious reasons.”

SN’s verdict… It’s going to be a very tumultuous summer at Manchester United and Erik ten Hag, the incoming manager, will be desperate to keep the club’s top scorer.

Ronaldo has evolved into the side’s only capable goalscorer and his latest flurry of goals, which won him the Premier League player of the month award for April, kept United alive as their season unraveled.

Edinson Cavani is going to leave the club on a free transfer and there is no clarity on Mason Greenwood’s situation, leaving Ronaldo as the side’s only out-and-out striker.

As mentioned above, Ferdinand was heavily involved in the 11th-hour deal to bring him back to Old Trafford last year so perhaps, his confidence is based on more than speculation.