Cristiano Ronaldo is said to be livid with Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag for criticising him for leaving last weekend's friendly against Rayo Vallecano early.
Relations between the pair are believed to have hit rock bottom, with Ronaldo even more determined to leave Old Trafford before the transfer window closes. Ten Hag described Ronaldo's behaviour "unacceptable" after he left Old Trafford before the 1-1 draw on Sunday had finished, having been hauled off at half-time.
Despite United refusing to sanction the £500,000-a-week superstar, Ten Hag was not impressed and blasted Ronaldo's behaviour. He said: "I certainly don't condone this. This is unacceptable. For everyone. We are a team and you have to stay until the end." As revealed by Daily Star Sport, Ronaldo is said to be furious with his manager.
The criticism could be the final straw for Ronaldo, who has made it clear to United bosses he wants to leave and find a club that can offer him Champions League football. United have refused to sell Ronaldo, who still has 12 months of his contract remaining and held showdown talks with club officials and his agent Jorge Mendes last week.
Mendes has asked United to make Ronaldo a financial offer regarding what he's owed, but nothing has been forthcoming. Tensions between the club and player have been simmering ever since Ronaldo failed to report back to pre-season training and missed the club's pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia.
Ronaldo, who didn't approve of Ten Hag's appointment in the first place, was given time off for personal reasons and remained in Lisbon. And the latest fall-out will cast a huge shadow over Ten Hag's final preparations for United's opening Premier League game at home to Brighton on Sunday.
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Ten Hag has made it clear that he expects Ronaldo to fulfil his contract and stay with United for the upcoming season. “We are planning with Cristiano for this season, so that's it and I am looking forward to working with him,” he said on July 11. “I spoke with him before this issue came up. I had a really good conversation with him, but that will stay between me and him. But Cristiano is not for sale.”
The Dutchman held showdown talks with the 37-year-old last week after he returned from his exile in Portugal. Ronaldo, who had missed the club's pre-season tours of Thailand and Australia, remains steadfast in his desire to leave.
Reports have suggested that Ten Hag is planning on leaving Ronaldo on the bench for this weekend's Premier League opener against Brighton. Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are set to start the match at Old Trafford, with the 45 minutes against Rayo Vallecano the only pre-season match time Ronaldo has had so far this summer.
