Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to training after his Manchester United exile, but the striker seems destined to pursue an exit from Old Trafford in the January transfer window. And reports in America suggest he could move to Major League Soccer [MLS].
Ronaldo has failed to swallow the bit-part role handed to him by United boss Erik ten Hag and the Portuguese had to watch Saturday's 1-1 draw at Chelsea from home after being banished for his latest strop.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was punished for refusing to come on as a substitute, marching down the tunnel and leaving the stadium before the end of United's impressive 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on October 19, taking the shine off arguably the best performance of the Ten Hag era so far.
It was the second time the former Real Madrid and Juventus star had exited early since Ten Hag's arrival, leaving after being substituted halfway through a pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano in July, and this time the manager was ruthless with his punishment.
"Sometimes the heat of the moment gets the best of us," Ronaldo said in a statement after the incident, adding: "This is Manchester United, and united we must stand. Soon we’ll be together again."
Ronaldo has scored just twice in 12 appearances for United this season, well short of his usual high standards. He returned to United in 2021 and was top scorer with 24 goals in all competitions. But Ten Hag's arrival raised doubts the ageing striker could execute the Dutchman's high-intensity style, and that has proven to be the case, with the Red Devils' best performances coming with Ronaldo out of the starting XI, no doubt denting the 835-goal striker's ego.
Ronaldo returned to training with his teammates on Tuesday and is in contention to feature against Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League on Thursday, but it looks like his second spell with United – who he first joined from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 and won three Premier League titles and the Champions League in a glorious stint under Sir Alex Ferguson – is coming to a sour end.
Before the season started, Ronaldo wanted out of Old Trafford after the club failed to qualify for the Champions League, and he was not part of the club's pre-season tour due to personal reasons, but his agent Jorge Mendes could not secure a move to another European club.
His only option was an eye-watering nine-figure offer from Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, and clubs in the Middle East could be back in for Ronaldo in January, although the 37-year-old would likely prefer a move to a Champions League club in Europe and there has been suggestions that he would be willing to take a pay cut to make it happen.
But if Europe's top clubs turn him down again, a move to Major League Soccer could appeal. The standard of the league is gradually improving with Italian stars Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi joining Toronto FC in the summer as well as Barcelona produce Riqui Puig, who starred for LA Galaxy this season.
David Beckham's Inter Miami, managed by Ronaldo's former United teammate Phil Neville, are believed to be interested in Ronaldo, although there could be two more options in MLS for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
That is according to the LA Times, who have thrown LA Galaxy and LAFC into the frame to offer Ronaldo an escape route out of United.
For the Galaxy, it could take a bit of juggling. Their three designated player berths – afforded to superstar players whose wages otherwise would breach the salary cap – are taken up by former United striker Javier Hernandez, Brazil international Douglas Costa and French forward Kevin Cabral.
Greg Vanney's side have also been strongly linked with a move for former Liverpool star Luis Suarez to join from Uruguayan club Nacional in January, and the Galaxy have not denied those reports.
That could mean their cross-city rivals are in a better position to compete for Ronaldo's services. They too have already filled their three designated player spots, with former Barcelona winger Cristian Tello, ex-Arsenal winger Carlos Vela and striker Denis Bouanga taking those places.
But a new TV deal with Apple TV+ has injected more cash into MLS, enabling the likes of Insigne to earn a handsome pay packet stateside, and it is thought LAFC could make a run at luring Ronaldo to Southern California.
