Transfer Centre

Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Maguire 'among group to send transfer message to Manchester United board'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 15 August 2022

Ronaldo, Maguire 'among group to send transfer message to Man United board'

Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire were among a senior group of Manchester United players to urge the club's board to make more signings this summer, according to a report.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire were reportedly among a senior group of Manchester United players to urge the club's board to make more signings before the end of the transfer window.

The Red Devils are currently bottom of the Premier League table, having lost their opening two games of the season to Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford.

A number of players have departed Old Trafford this summer, with Andreas Pereira, Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic, Alex Telles, Dean Henderson, Alvaro Fernandez, Edinson Cavani, Juan Mata and Lee Grant all leaving either on loan or on a permanent basis.

However, there have only been three new additions, with Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez joining the 20-time English champions.

According to The Mirror, a senior group of Man United players have made it clear to the club's hierarchy that more new signings are needed in order to save the season.

A downbeat Cristiano Ronaldo on August 13, 2022 © Reuters

The report claims that Ronaldo and Maguire were joined by Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw and Bruno Fernandes, with the players setting out the importance of fresh faces arriving before the window closes.

Juventus' Adrien Rabiot is believed to be on the verge of making the move to Old Trafford, with the Red Devils now said to have agreed personal terms with the France international.

Man United are also still chasing Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong, with the club still hopeful that they will be able to sign the Netherlands international before the end of the transfer window.

A new attacker is also expected to arrive, while a right-back and back-up goalkeeper are also positions that the club are looking at in terms of potential additions over the next couple of weeks.

Man United have another week to prepare for their next Premier League match, with Liverpool making the trip to Old Trafford on August 22 for their third match of the new campaign.

Juventus' Adrien Rabiot pictured on January 12, 2022 © Reuters

There remains ongoing speculation surrounding the future of Ronaldo, who showed his frustration at the end of Saturday's 4-0 defeat to Brentford.

However, Man United are still said to be determined to keep hold of the Portugal international this summer despite his desire to seek pastures new.

Rashford has also recently been linked with a switch to Paris Saint-Germain, but Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag said at the end of last week that the England international would be staying at Old Trafford this summer.

Anthony Martial had been in line to start the campaign as the team's number one forward following an impressive pre-season, but the France international has missed the opening two matches of the season due to a hamstring problem.