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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Steve Bates & Daniel Orme

Cristiano Ronaldo's true feelings on Man Utd emerge and hint at why he wants to leave

Cristiano Ronaldo's displeasure at Manchester United's poor displays since he returned are a prime reason behind why he has lodged a transfer request this summer.

The Portuguese superstar has requested to leave Old Trafford in the current window with the hope that a suitable offer is lodged for his services and he will be allowed to wave goodbye to the club. Speculation has been building regarding his long-term commitment to the Red Devils after being left underwhelmed by the transfer business - or lack thereof - so far.

In the meantime, he has also been linked with a return to former club Juventus - a move that would be a humiliating one for United considering that Ronaldo only made an emotional switch back to Old Trafford only just under a year ago.

Now, Ronaldo's true feelings about a quickfire exit from the club have emerged. It is said that the 37-year-old has been left "shocked and disappointed" by United's performances since he returned to the club.

It has certainly been a tumultuous year at the club, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having been sacked last November and replaced by German schemer Ralf Rangnick. It was hoped that the former RB Leipzig man could inspire the side to a somewhat respectable finish but the Red Devils stuttered to a sixth-placed finish, whilst also being eliminated at the round of 16 stage in the Champions League.

That is not for the want of trying from Ronaldo. The Portuguese finished as the club's top goalscorer with 24 strikes to his name in all competitions.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been left underwhelmed by Man Utd's showings over the past season (Getty Images)

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He believes that he is still capable of playing at the top level, with the only possible resolution being a return to a Champions League club. He also wants to continue challenging for silverware - something that looks unlikely at Old Trafford with the Red Devils having not claimed any silverware of note since the 2017 Europa League.

Ronaldo’s thoughts are not the first time that he has expressed displeasure with United’s showings on the pitch. Speaking in January, he claimed that he could be forced to quit the club if his ambitions are not met.

As quoted by Sky Sports, he said: "I don't want to be here at the club to fight to be in sixth place, or seventh place or fifth place.

"I'm here to try to win, to compete and I think we [do] compete, but we are not yet at our best level. But we have a long way to improve and I believe that if we change our mind, we can achieve big things."

Ronaldo currently has one year left on his contract at Old Trafford having penned a lucrative deal following his switch from Juventus last summer. It remains to be seen where he could end up but a number of clubs have already been credited with an interest in the Portuguese.

Former club Juventus have reportedly been offered his services, whilst fellow Serie A outfits AS Roma and Napoli are among the admirers. Chelsea could also be a shock option with Jorge Mendes having held a meeting with new Blues owner Todd Boehly.

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