Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, has said the club will only allow Cristiano Ronaldo to leave if they can sign Robert Lewandowski as a replacement.

Ronaldo has asked the Premier League side to listen to offers for him, as he is desperate to play for a team in the Champions League next season.

The 37-year-old has not joined the rest of the squad for their preseason tour of Thailand and Australia, amid speculation he wants his future sorted quickly.

Ferdinand has now said he does not see Ronaldo leaving United, except they bring in a big name striker.

“I can’t even think about that because you have to look at the whole situation. It’s getting on in the window and, if United were to let him go, [Erling] Haaland and [Darwin] Nunez, probably the first two on your list, have gone to clubs.

“The only other person who could fill into those shoes, who I’d have confidence in, who’s possibly capable of doing it, is [Robert] Lewandowski.

“The only way I see it happening is if United can get Lewandowski and then Ronaldo could go then. If United can’t get a ready-made replacement to bang in 20 or 25 goals next season outside of Lewandowski or somebody [else] gettable, I don’t see it being a deal that gets done, not at all,” Ferdinand said on his FIVE podcast.

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