Julen Lopetegui may help Man Utd keep Cristiano Ronaldo despite frosty Mendes comment

Manchester United could tempt Cristiano Ronaldo to stay by appointing Julen Lopetegui as head coach. Resurfaced comments made by the Spanish coach’s father about Ronaldo’s Real Madrid departure could work in the Red Devils’ favour if they choose Lopetegui as their next permanent boss. 

United appointed Ralf Rangnick to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on a deal until the end of the season. The German is expected to move into a consultancy role within the Old Trafford hierarchy after the end of the campaign. 

Lopetegui is one of the names linked with the job despite currently being in charge of LaLiga title hopefuls Sevilla.  

And comments made by his father in 2018 might tempt star forward Ronaldo to remain with the 20-times English champions beyond this season.  

The Portugal icon has a contract until 2023 but wide reports have suggested that his future could depend on who United name as their next manager. 

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Lopetegui’s father, Jose Antonio, felt that his son was dealt a bad hand by former club Madrid, who sold Ronaldo just weeks before appointing the former Spain national team boss in the summer of 2018.  

The 55-year-old lasted just three months at the Bernabeu before he was replaced by his predecessor, Zinedine Zidane.   

“Cristiano Ronaldo was good,” Jose Antonio said. 

“Was he cocky? We all have defects, but it turns out he scored 50 goals a season. He is missing. You are missing a prominent goalscorer. They haven’t brought one, not a single one.

“He scored 15 goals, carried Real Madrid on his back and conquered the Champions League again. It’s ridiculous, shameful. The winner is not in doubt, as Ronaldo is the best in his position.” 

But Lopetegui hit back: “I do not give value to any statement from anyone.  

“I am happy because Luka has won, he is a player of ours and he had merit to win it. 

“Luka combines individual quality and the collective component that he has in the game and in the way to interpret his role. I love it, but I like collective awards more than individual ones.”