Cristiano Ronaldo’s stand-off with Manchester United over an exit could take an ugly turn as the forward has now asked the club to release him before his contract expires next summer.
However, United have once again reiterated they won’t give into his demand since the club doesn’t consider him saleable, and nor have received any offers for him.
The Portuguese forward conveyed his decision of leaving the club last month itself, and has been standing firm by the same. Ronaldo wants to move to a Champions League club since United will be competing in the second tier Europa League next season.
The forward went as far as missing United’s preseason tours of Thailand and Australia in order to find his next club along with agent Jorge Mendes.
Erik ten Hag fails to convince Cristiano Ronaldo
Nonetheless, after skipping the preseason tours Ronaldo returned to United’s Carrington base on Monday to hold crunch talks with the club over his future.
The 37-year-old turned up to Carrington with Jorge Mendes, who has already tried to negotiate with a host of clubs for his client’s transfer.
Erik ten Hag had the Herculean task in the meeting of changing Ronaldo’s mind over leaving the club. However, despite his tireless efforts, reports tell that Ten Hag was unable to convince the striker in reversing his decision.
Moreover, Ronaldo has now gone one step further to secure his exit, in asking the club to release him from his current deal which expires in the summer of 2023.
However, United too have asserted that they won’t be giving into his request since they do not intend to sell him. The club also claimed that no interested party has approached them for Ronaldo.
Ronaldo meanwhile, also took part in his first training session under Erik ten Hag when he returned to Carrington. The striker has assured absolute professionalism in training while at the club.
He has also made himself available for the upcoming friendlies against Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano, though Ten Hag has insisted on not planning for the next season with Ronaldo’s inclusion until his future is sorted.
The manager however included Cristiano Ronaldo along with new signings Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen to give them a rundown of the preseason tours which they missed.