Former Manchester United star, Jaap Stam has urged the club to make a decision on Cristiano Ronaldo’s future ‘quickly. ’

He said it’s a shame that the Portugal international wants to leave the club this summer when it was expected he would work with a new manager, Erik ten Hag next season.

Stam noted that the Portuguese’s presence could become a ‘problem’ for the club if the saga ‘drags on’.

Ronaldo, who had reportedly told the club he wants to leave the club in pursuit of Champions League football next season, held further talks with the club’s hierarchy on Tuesday.

Reports after the meeting suggest that the 37-year-old is still pushing for a move away from the club this summer.

Stam said he wants Ronaldo to stay at Old Trafford but now expects the 37-year-old to leave.

The former defender believes it is important that the saga is dealt with swiftly as Erik ten Hag prepares for his first season in charge of the club.

“You don’t want to have too much confusion within the squad straightaway, especially when you’re starting as a new manager,” Stam told Genting Casino.

“You’re working with one of the best players in the world. He’s been doing very well, last season scoring a lot of goals.

“I was hoping that Ronaldo was going to stay because I think he could be very important for the club and I think he is still one of the best players at United.

“Even when he’s not scoring, he’s always making the opposition aware of him and they always need to pay him a lot of attention which creates opportunities and space for other players.

“I assume that Ten Hag spoke with him about the new season. I don’t know exactly what happened, but it looks like Ronaldo wants to make a move and play somewhere else next season, which I think is a shame.

“If the player has said that he wants to leave, although it’s very tough for the manager and for the club and especially for the fans, then the situation doesn’t need to drag on that long.

“United need to make a decision as a club and find a way to deal with his departure. The manager needs to build his squad and understand who he will be working with.”