Rio Ferdinand says it's 'LAUGHABLE' that Cristiano Ronaldo was overlooked for Premier League Player of the Year shortlist… as he insists his former team-mate will have a big role to play at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag 

  • Erik ten Hag said on Monday that he wants Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at United
  • Ten Hag described Ronaldo, United's top goalscorer this season, as a 'giant'
  • Rio Ferdinand says Ten Hag will need players like him in the dressing room
  • But Ronaldo still missed out on a Premier League Player of the Year nomination
  • Ferdinand cannot believe his former team-mate was not on this year's shortlist 

Rio Ferdinand has described Cristiano Ronaldo's omission from the Premier League Player of the Year shortlist as 'laughable' while insisting he will '100 per cent' stay at Manchester United next season. 

Ronaldo has endured a frustrating first season back at United, who have already missed out on Champions League qualification, but his tally of 18 Premier League goals is an impressive return from an individual standpoint.

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Though despite his solid form in front of goal, there was no room for the Portuguese star on this season's Premier League Player of the Year shortlist, which consists of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarrod Bowen, Joao Cancelo, Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah, Son Heung-min, James Ward-Prowse and Bukayo Saka. 

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand says Cristiano Ronaldo will be at the club next season

But Ferdinand cannot fathom how Saka, who has registered six goals and 11 assists for Arsenal, has earned a nomination ahead of his old team-mate. 

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‘Saka’s in the in the Player of the Year nominees?’ the former United defender asked on the Vibe with Five podcast. ‘I wouldn’t have had Saka in there yet, as well as he’s done.

‘I wouldn’t have had him over Ronaldo, no, not this season. Ronaldo should be in ahead of three of four of those guys in there.

‘He probably doesn’t win it but in terms of nominees, it’s laughable. He’ll take it as a disrespect but these are the things that fuel him, he’ll be thinking, "how dare you?".

‘If it’s based on stats, he’s like, "I’ve banged in more goals than most of them on that list other than Salah, so what are you talking about?"'

Dutch coach Erik ten Hag, who is joining United from Ajax, confirmed on Monday that he wants Ronaldo to stay at the club.

The Portuguese star has scored 24 goals in all competitions since his sensational return to Old Trafford - more than double anyone else in the squad - but there have been question marks over his future because of the club's dismal campaign.

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United have failed to qualify for the Champions League and could face the ignonimy of a place in the Europa Conference League if results do not go their way on the final day of the season.

Ronaldo's contract runs until 2023, but the Red Devils have the option to extend this by a further year. 

It is looking increasingly likely that he will remain at the club at least for another season and he told United's official website last week that he was looking forward to working under ten Hag.  

Ronaldo has been United's standout player in what has been a poor season for the club
The Portuguese star has scored 24 goals since his sensational return to Old Trafford

Ferdinand, who shared a dressing room with Ronaldo for six years, believes he could have a key part to play under the new boss as he begins his tenure at Old Trafford.  

'100 per cent I think Cristiano will be at Manchester United [next season],' he insisted.

'His legacy leaving here will change from what he expected it to be, and he will be looking to do other things and leave a longstanding imprint beyond his playing days here in terms of influence on other players, on young players and helping set the culture.

'The manager will set that and he will want to impliment it through particular players and Ronaldo will be one of them for obvious reasons - dedication, application, character - and you can see in that statement that he wants the manager to do well.

'The manager needs time yes, and I think he needs to be afforded that but an important part of that is that he wants things done his way and the players need to follow.

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Ferdinand believes Ronaldo could play a huge role on and off the pitch under Erik ten Hag

'He will want to reset the culture and he is going to need lieutenants - I've always said this, in the changing rooms that I played in at Old Trafford you need those players other than just the captain who help set the standard and set the culture on a day to day basis.'

In an interview with De Telegraaf, Ten Hag - who arrived in Manchester on Monday to begin his preparations before he officially starts work on July 1 - said: 'Ronaldo is a giant, because of what he's already shown and I think he's still very ambitious.

'Of course I would like to keep him. He's been very important to Manchester United this year and can produce great statistics.'