Ronaldo has a year left on his United contract after rejoining the club just under a year ago, and has made it clear to those at Old Trafford that he wants to leave this summer. The player is not on United’s pre-season tour, which begins with a game against Liverpool in Bangkok on Tuesday, due to personal reasons, which Ten Haag confirmed is very much the case and remains relaxed in a situation that has undoubtedly thrown a shadow. on the Dutchman’s preparation for his first season in charge of the 20-time champions. “I didn’t talk to him [Ronaldo] post [the revelation that he wants to leave United]” said Ten Haag, who also confirmed that Harry Maguire will remain as team captain. “His absence is a personal matter. So he is not with us and it is due to personal matters. “We’re designing Cristiano Ronaldo for it [next] season and that’s it and I’m looking forward to working with him. I have read [about his wish] but what I am saying is that Cristiano is not for sale, he is in our plans and we want success together. “I spoke to him before this matter came up, I had a chat with him and had a good chat. This is between Cristiano and I, what I can confirm is that we had a very good conversation together. I had a very good conversation with him.” Maguire was the focus of much criticism over his form and leadership last season, dire for United as they finished out of the Champions League places and 35 points behind champions Manchester City. But the England centre-back, who sat out his own warm-up routine during open training here on Monday due to a tight hamstring, will once again be United’s leader on the pitch when the 2022-23 campaign begins next month. “I have to get to know all the players – he has been a captain for years, he has achieved a lot of success, so I have no doubts about that,” said Ten Hag. United arrived in the Far East having made just one signing so far this summer – left-back Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord for €15m (£12.9m). The 22-year-old signed a four-year contract. “He’s the profile of the modern full-back, he defends well, he’s hard to beat and in attack a very good contribution – that’s why,” Ten Haag said of the Malaysian, who becomes the fourth member of United’s squad fit to play left back, along with Luke Shaw, Alex Telles, Brandon Williams and Diogo Dalot. Raphael Varane poses with fans ahead of United’s first training session in Bangkok. Photo: Ash Donelon/Manchester United/Getty Images United are also keen to sign Christian Eriksen, Frenkie de Jong and Lisandro Martínez, but all three potential deals continue to be delayed, much to the chagrin of United fans but not Ten Hag. “We want to add the right players. We have a very good squad, we are working to develop our way of playing and the opportunity is there and we will strike,” he insisted. “We don’t just want new players, we want the right new players, we have a good squad, we have huge potential, only when we find them will there be an improvement in our squad. “In my first press conference I already said we are definitely looking for players in the midfield, we have a need but also an offence, we are still looking for players. It will be a long season, but one that is quite unusual because of the World Cup [being played before Christmas] so you have to be prepared for that and you need more players than in a regular season.” Ten Haag refused to be drawn on the qualities of United’s targets. “I never talk about players who don’t have a contract with Manchester United, players from different clubs,” he said, “so I can’t say anything about that.” Ten Haag also lent his support to Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, who both endured particularly difficult seasons last time out. “We worked [so far] for two weeks, they fit very well together and we have to find out which one is the best,” said the manager. “What I know and see is that they have an impact on the opponent and they can hurt opponents.”
