Ralf Ragnick wanted to sell Ronaldo in January

After the breakout of the news that star forward, Cristiano Ronaldo wants out of Manchester United, news has leaked that former interim manager, Ralf Ragnick was eager to let the player go in January of last season.

Ralf Ragnick had suggested the idea to the club’s hierarchy to let go of the player to football director John Murtough and CEO Richard Arnold.

It was even reported that there were email messages on the topic but ultimately nothing was agreed upon.

Ragnick’s decision came after seeing the speculations on the forward’s future, with the German seeing it better the club let go of the star sooner rather than later so as to improve on their season.

Add to the fact that the former RB Leipzig coach did not see the 37 year old as a long term project owing to the fact that Ronaldo couldn’t adapt well to his high pressing style of play and create a better team performance.

The former interim coach felt it would have been better to get a more suitable player instead of the Portuguese leading their forward line.

But contrary to his suggestion, the club’s hierarchy didn’t see it a good deal selling their most marketable asset.

The move resulted in Cristiano staying for the entirety of the whole campaign that was as disastrous as the worst he could ever have in his career.

With the player intent on leaving, the same board are hesitant like they once were on letting the marquee asset go, especially when Premier League rivals are being considered.

It certainly was what the Old Trafford club fought to avoid and seeing that a possibility a year after, will harden their minds over fostering a deal.

The Portuguese has refused returning to training, revealing to the club yesterday that he will be absent due to family reasons.

It is unknown if it was a ploy to force an exit from the club but one thing that is likely certain is, Manchester United would have long moved on had the player exited the club in January, and preferably, much attention won’t have been on them ahead of the coming season.

It remains to be seen how new manager, Erik ten Hag will handle the situation.