How Manchester United were ‘forced to accept’ Cristiano Ronaldo’s reported transfer stance

It has been reported that Cristiano Ronaldo had stunned the Manchester United chiefs last weekend by confirming his desire to quit the club less than 12 months after the Portuguese emotional comeback to Old Trafford from Juventus.

Sadly, while Ronaldo has maintained his astonishing goalscoring standards last season for United, the Red Devils have endured a miserable campaign which saw them collect their lowest ever Premier League points tally and painfully missing out in the 2022/2023 Champions League football.

It is understood that the Portugal international has maintained his lack of intention of playing in the Europa League and would want to join a team with Champions League possibility next season.

National Daily gathered from the report by The Sun that United were initially confident they could convince Ronaldo to stay and see out the final year of his contract after the Portuguese has been absent for United’s start to pre-season training due to ‘family reasons’.

However, United are now resigned to losing their talismanic striker who appears to have little intention of joining the rest of the squad for their upcoming tour of the Far East and Australia.

Upon taking the job, Ten Hag made it clear he was looking forward to working with Ronaldo and was confident he could build a winning team around his unique talents.

He said: ‘Ronaldo is a giant, because of what he’s already shown and he’s still very ambitious. Of course I would like to keep him.’

After talks with United’s key decision makers, however Ten Hag is now resigned to contemplating life without Ronaldo whose agent, Jorge Mendes, is scouring Europe for a club capable of matching his ambition and affording his wages.

While Chelsea have been touted to be the possible destination for Ronaldo, it is understood that United are unwilling to sell to a domestic rival. Again, Thomas Tuchel is said to be far from sold on the idea of bringing an ageing Ronaldo to Stamford Bridge.