Cristiano Ronaldo ‘wants Man United to terminate his contract’

Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly requested for his Manchester United contract to be terminated as he remains intent on leaving the club this summer.

The 37-year-old has expressed his desire to depart Old Trafford as he is keen to play in the Champions League for a 20th successive season, rather than embark on a campaign in the Europa League.

Ronaldo missed United’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia and instead spent time in his native Portugal due to family reasons, but the forward has since returned to Manchester on Tuesday.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner and his agent Jorge Mendes are understood to have held talks with United’s hierarchy in a bid to resolve his future.

A recent report claims that United have told Ronaldo that he will not be leaving the club this summer and that he remains a key part of Erik ten Hag’s plans.

However, the Daily Mail reports that Ronaldo has informed the Red Devils that he wants his contract terminated to allow him to join a club competing in the Champions League.

The report adds that United continue to hold firm on their stance that Ronaldo – who has just 12 months remaining on his current deal – will not depart, and have reiterated that they have received no enquiries for the forward.

Earlier this month, Ten Hag expressed his desire to work with Ronaldo and integrate the Portugal international into his first-team plans for the new season.

Speaking to reporters during United’s pre-season tour, the Dutchman said: “We are planning for Cristiano Ronaldo for the season and that’s it.

“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.”

After arriving at United’s Carrington training complex on Tuesday, Ronaldo is understood to have undergone medical examinations before training with the club on Wednesday.

The forward recently watched the Red Devils beat non-league outfit Wrexham 4-1 in a behind-closed-doors friendly, which saw summer signings Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez make their debuts – the former of whom scoring the game’s opening goal.

It remains to be seen whether Ronaldo will feature in either of United’s final two warm-up matches against Atletico Madrid or Rayo Vallecano, but the Daily Mail claims that the Portuguese star is targeting a return against the latter at Old Trafford on Sunday.

United begin the 2022-23 campaign with a Premier League home clash against Brighton & Hove Albion on August 7.