Manchester United manager Eric ten Hag insists Cristiano Ronaldo 'is not for sale'

New Dutch coach says veteran attacker is 'in our plans' for the new season

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring during the Premier League match against Brentford at Old Trafford in May, 2022, when he enjoyed a superb season personally despite United's struggles. EPA

Cristiano Ronaldo scores from the spot for Manchester United against Brentford. Getty

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores against Chelsea in the Premier League match at Old Trafford in April, 2022. AP

United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Nemanja Matic after scoring against Chelsea. AFP

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores in the Premier League match againstr Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in April, 2022. AFP

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores his third goal in the Premier League match against Norwich City at Old Trafford in April, 2022. AP

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his third goal against Norwich City. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo scores against Norwich City. Getty

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League match at Old Trafford in March, 2022 . Reuters

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring against Tottenham Hotspur. Getty

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring against Tottenham Hotspur. Reuters

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores against Brighton in the Premier League match at Old Trafford in February, 2022. Reuters

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores a goal during the Premier League match against Wolves that was later disallowed in January, 2022. EPA

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores in the Premier League match against Burnley at Old Trafford in December 2021. EPA

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring in the Premier League match against Norwich City at Carrow Road in December, 2021. AFP

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores from the penalty spot during the Premier League match against Norwich City at Carrow Road in December, 2021. AFP

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring in the Champions League match against Atalanta at the Azzurri d'Italia stadium in November, 2021. AFP

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring during the Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford in December 2021. EPA

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores a penalty during the Premier League match against Arsenal. PA

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Marcus Rashford after scoring during a Champions League match against Villarreal at Estadio de la Ceramica in November, 2021. AP

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores during the Champions League match against Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium in November, 2021. EPA

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring in the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in October, 2021. Reuters

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores during the Champions League match against Atalanta at Old Trafford in October 2021. EPA

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring against Villarreal in the Champions League match at Old Trafford in September, 2021. Reuters

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring during the Champions League match against Villarreal in September 2021. EPA

Manchester United Cristiano Ronaldo scores against West Ham United during the Premier League match at the London Stadium in September, 2021. Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo scores for Manchester United during the Champions League match against Young Boys at the Stadion Wankdorf in September, 2021. Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo scores for Manchester United against Newcastle United during the Premier League match at Old Trafford in September, 2021. Getty

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores against Newcastle at Old Trafford. AFP

Manchester United manager Eric ten Hag has said that Cristiano Ronaldo “is not for sale” and that he is “looking forward to working with him” this season.

The veteran attacker has looked set for a move away from Old Trafford this summer less than a year after he returned to the club in a shock £12.9 million switch from Serie A side Juventus.

Ronaldo is currently absent from United's pre-season tour of Thailand after the 37-year-old was given time off to deal with a personal issue. He also missed the start of Ten Hag's pre-season schedule at the club's Carrington base, training instead at the Portuguese national team's headquarters.

Premier League rivals Chelsea are reported to be interested in signing the Portuguese forward but sources at United have always insisted the player will not be allowed to leave.

And, speaking at a press conference in Bangkok ahead of Tuesday's friendly match against Liverpool, United's new Dutch coach made it clear Ronaldo is in his thoughts for the coming season.

“He is not with us due to personal issues. We are planning with Cristiano Ronaldo for this season. That is it,” said Ten Hag. “I'm looking forward to working with him.”

When asked if Ronaldo had asked to leave the club, Ten Hag added: “He hasn't told me this. I have read, but as I say, Cristiano is not for sale, he's in our plans and we want to get success together.

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“I had a good talk [with Ronaldo before the tour]. That is between Cristiano and me, what I can confirm is we had a really good conversation together.”

After the Liverpool game in Thailand, United fly to Australia and Ten Hag admitted that he does not yet know whether Ronaldo will join up with the squad later in the tour.

Last season, Ronaldo scored 24 goals in 38 games across all competitions and was named Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year, but that wasn't enough to help United secure a Champions League spot as the team finished sixth under the guidance of interim manager Ralf Rangnick.

Previous manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had been sacked in November following a disastrous run of results that reached a climax with a 4-1 defeat at Watford.

The thought of playing only Europa League football next season is reported to be the main driving force for Ronaldo eyeing the Old Trafford exit for a second time. He left for Real Madrid in 2009 for a then world record £80m move.