Cristiano Ronaldo ‘given indefinite leave by Man Utd’ throwing pre-season plans into jeopardy after transfer bombshell
CRISTIANO RONALDO has 'effectively been given indefinite leave' by Manchester United after his transfer bombshell. The Portuguese six-time Ballon d'Or winner told the club that he wishes to move on to pastures new last weekend. 1 Cristiano Ronaldo may not be part of Man Utd's pre-season tour to Asia and AustraliaCredit: Getty Ronaldo, 37, wasn't part of the returning crop of players for pre-season training on Monday as he was given extra time off due to family reasons. Instead, he was spotted at his country's national training ground in Lisbon, the city where his partner Georgina Rodriguez and his extended family currently are. Ronaldo was seen driving a swanky white Rolls Royce 4x4 as he arrived at the training ground. United are insisting that his absence is genuinely due to personal issues and that he is not for sale. However, The Telegraph states that it is “unclear” when he will return and that there is doubt over whether he will fly to Asia and Australia on Friday with the rest of the squad for the club’s pre-season tour. And they also add that it all “effectively amounts to a case of indefinite leave” for the United star. The Red Devils are adamant that Ronaldo, who was top scorer with 24 goals last season, will see out the second campaign of his two-year guaranteed contract. That was expected to be reinforced to the ex-Real Madrid and Juventus forward when he met Erik ten Hag for face-to-face talks once he returned to Carrington for work. FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS Now those crunch discussions have been delayed - leaving the new United boss with a major headache just weeks after taking charge. Ronaldo, who believes he can continue playing at the top level until he is 40, is desperate to perform in the Champions League - a competition United failed to qualify for. That has led to Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Napoli all being linked with a move for him. He is also frustrated by the club’s lack of transfer activity this summer - although Tyrell Malacia was spotted at Carrington on Monday arriving for his medical. The 22-year-old Feyenoord defender jetted into the North West on Sunday and went through the first stages of his medical before heading to the club’s HQ yesterday. The deal will cost the Red Devils an initial £13 million.
Cristiano Ronaldo absent from return to pre-season, as Manchester United put on brave face
Cristiano Ronaldo was absent from Manchester United training on Monday with the club understood to be content with his reasoning. Ronaldo was expected to report back for pre-season training at Carrington on Monday but due to “family reasons” his return will be delayed. The squad returned at the start of last week with just Manchester United’s international contingent given extra time off. The Manchester Evening News have quoted a senior club source: “Cristiano is not expected due to family reasons and the club have accepted this.” It is unclear when the forward is expected back at the club. A report from The Times on Saturday claimed the 37-year-old wants to leave Old Trafford. The striker’s decision is largely driven by his desire to carry on playing in the Champions League after the Red Devils failed to qualify for the competition last term. Ronaldo is also said to have grown frustrated at what he sees as a lack of ambition with no new signings. To make matters worse Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham have all added top-level players. While Chelsea are planning a summer of investment under new owner Todd Boehly.