Transfer Centre

Manchester United considering Kylian Mbappe as Cristiano Ronaldo replacement?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 15 November 2022

Man United considering Mbappe as Ronaldo replacement?

Manchester United reportedly consider a January move for Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe as they search for replacements for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Manchester United are reportedly considering Paris Saint-Germain attacker Kylian Mbappe as a possible replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner recently took part in a hard-hitting interview with Piers Morgan, during which he vented his frustrations on several aspects of the Old Trafford club.

Ronaldo said that he did not have any respect for Erik ten Hag and claimed that several people attempted to force him out of the club, while also criticizing the Glazer family.

Ralf Rangnick, Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville were also targets of Ronaldo's scathing attack, and the Portugal international is expected to have played his final game for Man United.

The Red Devils are understood to be taking legal advice and will wait until the full interview is released before making any decisions, but a January departure is seemingly the most likely outcome.

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo in action against Aston Villa on November 3, 2022 © Reuters

According to The Mirror, Man United are weighing up an audacious move for Mbappe as Ronaldo's successor, with the 23-year-old also far from settled in Paris.

Mbappe committed himself to a lucrative new three-year deal at the Parc des Princes earlier this year, having snubbed interest from Real Madrid to remain with the French champions.

However, reports emerged last month claiming that Mbappe feels "betrayed" by the club over broken promises and wants to leave, having felt that he made a mistake by signing his new contract.

The report adds that Man United had initially planned to prioritize the signing of a new striker next summer, but those transfer plans will be put in motion over the winter as Ronaldo prepares to be frozen out of the squad.

The Red Devils can expect to pay at least £150m to sign Mbappe, which they would supposedly be willing to do, as well as forking out £500,000 in weekly wages for the Frenchman.

Kylian Mbappe in action for Paris Saint-Germain on October 11, 2022 © Reuters

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez no longer has any interest in a deal for Mbappe, but Man United still accept that a January move will be extremely difficult while PSG prepare to compete in the knockout rounds of the Champions League.

Mbappe has scored 19 goals and provided five assists in 20 matches for Christophe Galtier's men this season, taking his total for PSG to 190 goals and 93 assists in 237 appearances in all tournaments.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo has just three goals and two assists to his name from 16 outings in the 2022-23 campaign, with his last appearance coming in the 3-1 Premier League loss to Aston Villa on November 6.

The former Real Madrid and Juventus man will leave on a free transfer at the end of the season if Man United cannot agree a January departure, with agent Jorge Mendes starting to put out feelers.

Suitors are expected to be few and far between given Ronaldo's salary and the fallout from the interview, but Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim has insisted that the 37-year-old is still well-liked in the Portuguese capital.

Ronaldo is currently preparing for Portugal's pre-World Cup friendly with Nigeria on Thursday, while Mbappe and France will take on Australia in their first Qatar fixture on November 22.