When Erik ten Hag was driven through the Carrington gates for the first time a week last Monday for the start of Manchester United's pre-season preparations, he would have been expecting Cristiano Ronaldo to follow suit seven days later.
However, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is yet to make an appearance in at United's training ground this side of the summer break, failing to report for training on Monday and Tuesday, with his absence being cited as because of "family reasons." Ronaldo wants to leave Old Trafford this summer in pursuit of Champions League football, following the club's failure to qualify for the competition this forthcoming season.
The Manchester Evening News also understands that Ronaldo wants to leave the club because he is disappointed with United's lack of recruitment so far this summer and is "upset" about the squad being forced to accept a 25 per cent reduction in their salaries — as a result of failing to qualify for the Champions League. The prospect of losing him is the last thing Ten Hag and United needed with the new season looming.
