Erik ten Hag was keen to complete surprise move for ex-Manchester United star to replace Cristiano Ronaldo: Reports
Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reportedly wanted Danny Welbeck as Cristiano Ronaldo's replacement, according to The Athletic. The Dutch manager had a public fallout with the Portuguese at Old Trafford, which led to the player's exit in December 2022.
Ten Hag was ultimately shown the door this week following the 1-2 defeat at the hands of West Ham United. The Red Devils have struggled to score goals in recent seasons, despite investing heavily in the attack under the Dutchman.
Ten Hag signed Antony, Rasmus Hojlund, and Joshua Zirkzee to improve his attack in the past three summers. However, Manchester United have managed just eight goals in nine games this season, their lowest tally in the league since the 1973/74 campaign, when, interestingly, they were relegated.
The Dutchman reportedly wanted to sign former United striker Danny Welbeck as a possible replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo and Anthony Martial. The Englishman's previous contract was set to expire this summer and the Red Devils could have signed him for free this year.
However, the uncertainties surrounding Ten Hag's future cost the club, as Welbeck signed a new contract with Brighton & Hove Albion in May this year. Meanwhile, the absence of a proven goalscorer came back to haunt the Dutchman. Manchester United have missed 22 of their 29 big chances this season.
How many goals has Cristiano Ronaldo scored for Manchester United?
Cristiano Ronaldo initially joined Manchester United as a lanky teenager in the summer of 2003 from Sporting. The Portuguese went on to etch his name in gold at Old Trafford and became a club legend.
He won multiple trophies with the Premier League giants, including the league and the Champions League and also picked up his first Ballon d'Or in 2008. A year later Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United to secure his dream move to Real Madrid.
By then, the Portuguese superstar had scored 118 goals from 292 appearances for the Red Devils. After highly successful stints with Los Blancos and Juventus, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner returned to Old Trafford in 2021.
Athough his second stint failed to live up to expectations, it did help fans relive the old days and indulge in a bit of nostalgia. The 39-year-old, unfortunately, could not make it work with Ten Hag and had an unceremonious end to his second coming. Ronaldo left at the end of 2022, having scored a further 27 goals for United from 54 games.