Manchester United's pre-season preparations and transfer plans have been thrown into disarray amid Cristiano Ronaldo's wish to leave the club in pursuit of Champions League football.
United, who will kick-off their pre-season programme next Tuesday against arch-rivals Liverpool in Bangkok, failed to qualify for the competition for the forthcoming campaign, finishing a disappointing sixth in the Premier League last season. It means that they'll compete in the Europa League.
Ronaldo has played in the Champions League for the last 19 seasons running, meaning it is understandable that he would want to secure the achievement of spending two decades playing in Europe's premier club competition. Furthermore, the Manchester Evening News understands that United's slow start to the transfer window and a salary reduction are among other reasons why he wants to leave.
