Cristiano Ronaldo has touched down in Manchester, with the Portugal international set to hold discussions with Manchester United over his future at the club.
The Athletic reported that Ronaldo was heading back to England, with Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano then posting an image of the 37-year-old on UK soil, having been in Portugal due to a family matter.
Cristiano Ronaldo finally back in Manchester today as reported by @David_Ornstein - he will discuss with Man United. Erik ten Hag, waiting to meet with Cristiano as he wants to change his mind. 🚨🛩 #MUFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 25, 2022
J. Mendes, pushing to find a solution. Man Utd insist he's not for sale. pic.twitter.com/VsgbBUp1ts
According to Romano, Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes is still attempting to negotiate an exit for his client, but Man United continue to insist that he is not for sale, with Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag preparing to meet with the forward this week to discuss his future.
The Athletic report that a decision on the Portuguese's possible involvement during Tuesday's training session at Carrington has not been made, but he will sit down with Ten Hag this week, with the two parties keen to reach a resolution, as the new Premier League campaign is just around the corner.
Ronaldo's return to Manchester is said to be viewed as a 'positive sign', and the indications are that the former Sporting Lisbon youngster will be staying with the 20-time English champions.
Ronaldo did not travel with the Man United squad to Thailand and Australia on their pre-season tour due to a personal matter, which has remained private, but he allegedly told the club at the start of July that he wanted to be sold this summer in order to continue playing in the Champions League.
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The forward scored 24 goals and registered three assists in 37 appearances for Man United last season, but the club will not be in the Champions League next term due to their sixth-place finish in the Premier League, with the team instead preparing for Europa League football.
Ronaldo also allegedly has concerns over Man United's movement in the transfer market this summer, as he does not believe that the club are currently capable of challenging for major trophies next term.
Bayern Munich have publicly ruled themselves out of the running, while Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are also believed to have rejected the chance to sign the veteran striker during the summer market.
There has recently been talk of interest from Atletico Madrid, but it would take an incredible financial effort from the Red and Whites to be able to sign him, and they would also have to move on some unwanted players that are on high wages, so a switch to Wanda Metropolitano is extremely complicated at this stage.
Ronaldo is running out of suitors, and Ten Hag has continually insisted that the serial winner will be at Old Trafford next season despite the ongoing speculation.
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"We are planning for Cristiano Ronaldo for the season and that's it," Ten Hag told recently reporters. "I'm looking forward to working with him. I have read [that he wants to leave], but what I say is Cristiano is not for sale, he is in our plans and we want success together.
"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."
Ronaldo still has another 12 months left to run on his contract, with the option of another year, and Ten Hag also said during the club's pre-season tour that the attacker could stay until the summer of 2024.
"I am well-informed he also has an option (to extend his contract), eh? Yes (he could stay beyond this season), but to be honest, of course I have signed here for three years, but in football it's short-term as well. We have to win from the start. So I don't look that far ahead," Ten Hag told reporters.
Anthony Martial has thrived in Ronaldo's absence, scoring three times in four friendlies this summer, but Man United are short of attacking options, with Mason Greenwood still suspended by the club.
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In May, during an interview with De Telegraaf, Ten Hag insisted that he wanted to keep hold of Ronaldo: "Of course I would like to keep him. He's been very important to Manchester United this year. He can produce great statistics."
Ronaldo's actions have been branded selfish by many, but he has not become arguably the greatest goalscorer in the history of the sport without making difficult decisions.
A player that has won five Champions League titles does not want to play in the Europa League next season, while he wants to be challenging for league titles rather than battling for top-four finishes; in many ways, it was remarkable what he did for the Red Devils last season considering their struggles.
Ronaldo's presence did upset the balance of the team at times, but he scored 18 Premier League goals for an average side and also netted six times in seven Champions League matches, playing a leading role in the team advancing to the knockout round of the competition.
The forward has earned the right to call the shots at this stage of his career, but his actions have left a bad taste, with many believing that he should have told the club of his wishes at the end of last season.
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Ronaldo is 15 goals ahead of Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring charts when it comes to the European Cup, netting 140 times in the best club competition on the planet, and he will want to ensure that he finishes his career ahead of the Argentine, such has been their battle over the years.
He will also want at least one more Champions League title before the end of his career, and whether Ten Hag can deliver a European Cup to Man United remains to be seen.
In previous summers, every team in world football would have wanted Ronaldo, but Barcelona went for Robert Lewandowski, Manchester City went for Erling Braut Haaland, PSG have kept hold of Kylian Mbappe, while Real Madrid are not said to be considering a return for their highest goalscorer.
Man United have two friendlies this weekend, facing Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano, before beginning their Premier League season against Brighton & Hove Albion on August 7, and although Ronaldo has posted images on his social media accounts from the gym, he is not up to speed in terms of matches.
At the moment, despite the best efforts of Mendes, it does appear that Ronaldo will be remaining at Man United, and in a stunning career that has seen him lift trophy after trophy, perhaps one of his greatest achievements could be helping the Red Devils in their bid to return to former glories.
Matt Law
