Report: Ronaldo told he must stay at Manchester United
Manchester United told Cristiano Ronaldo during a face-to-face meeting Tuesday he has no choice but to stay at the club through the 2022-23 season, The Telegraph's Ian Whittell reports.
Ronaldo returned to United's Carrington training ground Tuesday after missing the team's preseason tour of Thailand and Australia for personal reasons.
Despite the club's rigid stance, the 37-year-old, accompanied by agent Jorge Mendes, reportedly reiterated his desire to leave for a team playing in the Champions League. United finished sixth in the Premier League last season, failing to qualify for the tournament for the second time in four years.
Sir Alex Ferguson and United CEO Richard Arnold arrived at Carrington about an hour after Ronaldo entered the ground, according to Whittell. It's unclear if they took any part in the discussion between Ronaldo, Mendes, and United manager Erik ten Hag. Arnold was reportedly scheduled to hold a prearranged board meeting at Carrington.
The two sides have been at an impasse since Ronaldo told the Red Devils at the beginning of July that he wants out. A number of clubs, including Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, reportedly declined the opportunity to sign the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, citing tactical differences and financial constraints. Bayern Munich also ruled out a move for Ronaldo because he doesn't "fit" the German club's philosophy.
Ronaldo appears unlikely to rejoin training in the near future, and his participation in United's friendly matches against Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano this weekend is also in doubt.
Though his contract expires next summer, there's an option to extend it until June 2024.