Ferdinand claims Man Utd will only let Cristiano Ronaldo go in specific scenario

Manchester United will only allow Cristiano Ronaldo to leave this summer if they can sign Robert Lewandowski as a replacement, according to Rio Ferdinand.

Ronaldo has nailed his colours to the mast by telling the club he wants to leave, just a year after his blockbuster return from Juventus. The 37-year-old is yet to appear for pre-season training under new boss Erik ten Hag due to 'family reasons' and was absent from United's squad for their tours of Thailand and Australia.

Ronaldo wants to leave Old Trafford due to a combination of a lack of Champions League football and new signings this summer. But United have made it clear that the Portuguese forward is not for sale and that they expect him to see out the remaining 12 months on his contract. United chief executive Richard Arnold is understood to be relaxed about the situation and is planning to speak with Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes, to smooth things over.

Tyrell Malacia remains United's only signing of the summer transfer window so far and the lack of available big-name strikers on the market makes Ronaldo's departure unlikely, according to Ferdinand. He believes that Lewandowski, who wants to leave Bayern Munich for Barcelona, is the only player capable of filling Ronaldo's shoes.

"I don't see it happening man," he said on his FIVE podcast. "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. But he looks like he has his heart set on Barcelona if they can get that deal done.

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"The only way I see it happening is if United can get Lewandowski and then Ronaldo could go then. That's the only way it happens and, 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."

Like Ronaldo, Lewandowski has a year left on his contract and is involved in a stand-off with his current employers. Bayern Munich are reportedly reluctant to sanction a sale to Barcelona because they are worried the Spanish giants' financial issues may prevent them from paying up in instalments.

Former United defender Ferdinand has previously backed up Ronaldo over United's sluggish work in the transfer window. He said: "You're talking about Cristiano Ronaldo here! I don't understand how it's a big story that Cristiano Ronaldo is not happy with the way things are at Man United. He can't be. I wouldn't be.

"Anyone who wants to win football matches or trophies, anyone who is used to winning and competing every year at the top of the table for the biggest prizes, and then all of a sudden isn't - and doesn't even qualify for the Champions League - you can't sit here and expect them to be happy. Of course he's unhappy."