Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen reckons Manchester United will not allow Cristiano Ronaldo to leave unless they find a suitable replacement. There were doubts over Ronaldo’s future at Old Trafford as he had asked to leave. The Portuguese had made his intentions of playing in the Champions League.

However, Manchester United’s manager Erik Ten Hag later revealed that the talisman is not for sale and they are going to hold on to him. Ronaldo went on to miss the preseason tour matches in Thailand and Australia, which further created more doubt on his future at Manchester United.

However, Ronaldo played in the last preseason match against Rayo Vallecano and he was introduced in the 53rd minute by the Dutchman in the team’s opening Premier League match of the season against Brighton and Albion Hove on Sunday at Old Trafford.

The former England striker Michael Owen stated (as quoted by The Manchester Evening News): “I didn’t [think Ronaldo will stay] a week ago, but the noise coming out now suggests he will. If he goes, they are very light in attacking areas and with the number of goals he scored last season, how do you replace that?

Meanwhile, Ronaldo had scored 24 goals in 38 matches across all competitions in the previous season for Manchester United and he was the team’s best performer.

“Martial’s come back, Rashford needs to do something as he can’t have another season like last season and Cavani has left. It’s not very exciting. Especially if Ronaldo leaves as well and they don’t get anyone in. So I think he will stay unless they have somebody big to replace him.”

On the other hand, Erik Ten Hag had earlier revealed why Ronaldo wasn’t picked in the starting XI against the Seagulls.

He stated (per The Mirror): “If he was available, the striker [Martial], I would have played him. Cristiano Ronaldo is now 10 days in team training, too short for 90 minutes. That is the reason we didn’t start him.”

Manchester United will next face Brentford FC on Saturday.