According to reports, Manchester United will not punish Cristiano Ronaldo for leaving their pre-season match against Rayo Vallecano early.
The wantaway forward made his first appearance under Erik ten Hag in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with the Spanish side, but he was seen leaving Old Trafford before the game ended.
In the stalemate, Ronaldo received his first 45 minutes of pre-season action. The 37-year-old only returned to his teammates last week after taking a longer summer break in Portugal for “family reasons.”
At halftime, Ten Hag withdrew the former Real Madrid star.
Amad Diallo, his replacement, went on to score United’s only goal of the game, tapping home in front of the Stretford End.
However, Ronaldo was seen leaving the field shortly after his substitution and did not stay to watch the rest of the game.
It is unclear whether this move was sanctioned by club staff or if Ronaldo made his own way home.
Old Trafford officials, on the other hand, have no problem with Ronaldo leaving early and insist that other players did as well.
According to the Daily Star, the move does little to demonstrate Ronaldo’s desire to remain at the club.
Jorge Mendes, Ronaldo’s agent, has been working hard to secure Ronaldo’s departure this summer.
The player wishes to continue playing in the Champions League.
However, it does not appear that many clubs are willing to pay a fee in addition to Ronaldo’s weekly salary of £500,000.
Chelsea were linked with a move, but manager Thomas Tuchel was widely reported to be unconvinced by the sporting and financial justifications for a potential transfer.
A fairytale return to Ronaldo’s first club, Sporting Lisbon, has been suggested.
To return to the Primeira Liga, the Portugal international would have to accept a significant wage cut.
Both publicly and privately, United have stated that their highest-paid player is not for sale.
Last season, Ronaldo defied his age by scoring 24 goals across all competitions and dragging his teammates through some difficult times.
“We are planning for Cristiano Ronaldo for the season and that’s it. I’m looking forward to working with him. Cristiano is not for sale. He is in our plans and we want success together,”
Erik ten Hag said in mid-July following strong reports of Ronaldo’s wish to leave.
“He’s not with us [on tour] and it’s due to personal issues. I spoke with him before this issue came up. I had a conversation with him and I had a good talk. That is between Cristiano and me.
What I can confirm is we had a really good conversation together. I didn’t speak to him after (the news).”
