Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Manchester United remains doubtful since the Portuguese forward announced his intention to leave for a club which will compete in the Champions League. However, after being dropped from the team ahead of the friendly against Atletico Madrid, which the Premier League side lost 1-0, Ronaldo replied on Instagram that the king would play on Sunday.
This was taken to mean that the 37-year-old would be part of the squad in the friendly against Rayo Vallecano. Now, Ronaldo has confirmed it in an Instagram post which shows that he’s back in training.
“Working in progress,” the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said.
United manager, Erik ten Hag, had earlier tried to convince Ronaldo and had talks earlier in the week, but to no avail. The star striker seems bent on leaving and has even agreed to take a pay cut, after several top-flight clubs like Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, and Bayern Munich distanced themselves from the news of Ronaldo’s move there.
Despite a remarkable career, Ronaldo’s age combined with his hefty fee has led many to consider the player a burden on the team’s financials.
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While agent Jorde Mendes is working on a solution and finding clubs for Ronaldo to sign with, the player’s finally back with the team, having missed the tour of Australia and Thailand, due to personal reasons.
Before ten Hag’s arrival from Ajax, there was some fear that Ronaldo’s playing style wouldn’t suit the tactics that made the Dutchman so famous in the Eredivisie. However, the manager had allayed all doubts by saying that he wanted Ronaldo in the team and to work with him.
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Even amid negotiations, United have maintained that Ronaldo is not for sale, raising memories of his Juventus exit, where Serie A club insisted he wouldn’t be sold, but Ronaldo moved to London anyway to play for United.
