Cristiano Ronaldo expressed it was his desire to leave Manchester United in the first week of July. Ronaldo had grown impatient with the club's lack of activity in the summer transfer market and he was unhappy at the failure to qualify for the Champions League.
The failure to secure Champions League football triggered a 25 per cent reduction in players' salaries and sources indicated that 'upset' Ronaldo. That feeling was exacerbated by United playing in the Europa League, which Ronaldo deems a competition beneath a player of his standing. Ronaldo has been synonymous with the Champions League and he wanted to continue that special relationship.
It had been suggested it would not feel right to see Ronaldo walk onto the pitch to Europa League music and the player seemed to agree. Ronaldo had no intention to play in the Europa League, but only a club in Saudi Arabia wanted him this summer.
