Cristiano Ronaldo arrives at Carrington for key talks over his Manchester United future
(Picture: PA)Cristiano Ronaldo has arrived at Carrington for crucial talks over his Manchester United future.
The wantaway Portuguese superstar was pictured driving into the Trafford Training Centre on Tuesday morning, with agent Jorge Mendes also present.
Ronaldo is today expected to hold discussions with United manager Erik ten Hag, having yet to join the club for pre-season training amid constant speculation that he wants to leave Old Trafford this summer due to concerns over their transfer business and lack of trophy potential.
Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary former Red Devils boss with whom Ronaldo shared a close relationship during his first six-year stint in Manchester between 2003-09, was also seen arriving at Carrington on Tuesday.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is believed to covet a return to the Champions League in the twilight of his glittering career and is said to have informed United of his desire to move on just one year after sensationally rejoining from Juventus.
Ronaldo, who has one year remaining on his United contract that includes the option for a further 12 months, was excused from the start of pre-season due to personal reasons and has yet to train under new boss Ten Hag, missing the thumping friendly win over rivals Liverpool in Thailand and the subsequent tour of Australia, which saw preparations for the 2022/23 Premier League campaign continue with matches against Melbourne Victory, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.
United do not want to sell Ronaldo, who has been linked with a return to Madrid with Atletico as well as potential moves to the likes of Bayern Munich and Napoli. New Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly also discussed Ronaldo during a meeting with agent Mendes earlier this summer, though no bid has materialised.
A possible return to first club Sporting Lisbon has been publicly refuted on social media by Ronaldo, who has also been mentioned in connection with clubs in Major League Soccer (MLS) and the Middle East.
Asked for a latest update on the saga in Australia, Ten Hag insisted he remained excited about the prospect of integrating the 37-year-old back into his first-team squad.
United face Atletico in their penultimate summer friendly in Oslo on Saturday before meeting Rayo Vallecano a day later in Ten Hag’s Old Trafford debut. They open the new top-flight campaign at home to Brighton on August 7.
“Concerning is maybe not the right word,” Ten Hag said of Ronaldo. “I focus on the players who are there and they are doing really well.
“They are in good shape and I have further focus on that and develop that. I cannot wait for (Ronaldo) to come in and then we will integrate him.”
