Cristiano Ronaldo will remain professional and not refuse to play if called upon by Erik ten Hag despite his continued desire to depart Manchester United this summer, according to reports. The 37-year-old returned to training for the first time since the end of last season this week and is understood to have reaffirmed his wish to leave in order to compete in the Champions League next term.
Having informed United of his intention to escape Old Trafford this summer, Ronaldo was absent from the Red Devils’ pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia having been granted permission to forgo the trip. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner rejoined his team-mates for the first time this summer on Tuesday before both he and his agent Jorge Mendes engaged in crisis talks with the club’s chief executive officer Richard Arnold and manager Ten Hag.
According to 90min, despite reiterating his desire to exit the club this summer, a year prior to the expiry of his contract, Ronaldo will remain professional. It is understood that should the striker be selected by Ten Hag, he will not refuse to play so long as he remains a United player.
While the Red Devils’ Premier League opener against Brighton at Old Trafford on August 7 may come too soon given Ronaldo’s lack of competitive action, the forward could well make his United return soon. Ronaldo could even feature for the Red Devils against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
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