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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been urged to maintain his hardline stance with Cristiano Ronaldo this summer.

The Portuguese superstar is determined to leave Manchester United, with claims that he wants to continue playing in the Champions League next season.

United continue to insist that there is no transfer in the offing as yet, with no clubs seemingly willing to take on the veteran at this point.

It has led to an awkward situation in which Ronaldo is in clear conflict with those in charge at the club, particularly Ten Hag.

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The new Manchester United manager has taken a direct approach to the issue, even going as far as to directly criticise Ronaldo after he left the stadium early during a recent friendly.

That was seen as a clear indication from the Dutchman that he will not entertain any games from Ronaldo and journalists Johan Derksen and René van der Gijp insist that is the right stance to take.

“He must now show that he determines everything,” MSN report Derksen saying.

“If you give in, Ronaldo is the man again. He comes at a time when he is no longer assured of a place in the starting line-up. He is sometimes substituted and then I already see that dissatisfied head in front of me.

“If I were him, I would never have continued with Ronaldo. At a certain moment, it is really over with him.

“I expect he is already a negative factor in the group because he gets all the media attention and looks at other players with disdain.

“He is dissatisfied, but he has no reason to be. Ronaldo can want all sorts of things at Manchester United, but at a certain moment it is simply over.”

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The question for Ronaldo is what club is willing to pay, even a loan fee, to sign him this summer.

He had been linked with a move to Atlético Madrid this summer but that has been quickly rejected by Atleti fans, who have made their stance on signing a Real Madrid legend clear.

None of the other big clubs around Europe have shown an interest, leaving Ronaldo stuck trying to rouse up interest.

One suggestion has been that he return to Portugal with Sporting CP, who can offer him Champions League football, and Van der Gijp thinks that’s the solution.

“Ronaldo has to watch out that it doesn’t end sadly,” he added.

“In principle, Luis Suárez does it best, go back to the team where you grew up and where people love you.

“Ronaldo should just go back to Portugal and Ten Hag can tell the board that he only wants players in his dressing room who really want to be with Manchester United.

“If Ronaldo wants to leave and doesn’t feel like it, he can just stay at home, can’t he?”