Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo could reportedly leave in January after a lack of pre-season training left him off the pace under new boss Erik ten Hag.
The 37-year-old was the subject of intense transfer speculation throughout the summer as he tried to join a Champions League club.
However, he was still a United player by the end of deadline day and now has his work cut out to regain a starting place at the Red Devils.
According to The Sun, United players believe Ronaldo is looking to leave in January.
Marcus Rashford has been Ten Hag’s preferred option up front, with the Portuguese starting just one Premier League game so far this season.
A source explained to the newspaper how players “loved it” when Ronaldo returned last term, but they were “frustrated” that he missed an intensely detailed pre-season.
That has meant the striker is “not up to speed” and “relying on instinct” this term.
“He needs to realise it’s only going to work if he tunes into Ten Hag’s plans,” said the source.
Ronaldo has featured in every game for United so far this season, but only two of his seven appearances have been from the start.
He’s yet to score a goal under Ten Hag, and couldn’t find the net when he started in a 1-0 Europa League defeat to Real Sociedad last Thursday.
Ten Hag’s methods seem to be taking hold at Old Trafford, as the Dutchman has overseen four consecutive wins in the Premier League following a difficult start.
United are fifth in the standings, three points behind leaders Arsenal, and travel to Moldova to face Sheriff next on Thursday before returning to league duties at home to Leeds United on Sunday.
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Antony arrived to tip Manchester United’s summer spending beyond £200m. Memphis Depay was linked with a shock return, with more deals rumoured across Deadline Day.
Atletico Madrid star Yannick Carrasco had been touted, while both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Jamie Vardy were at point linked. United were also interested in Bayer Leverkusen-bound Callum Hudson-Odoi and Atletico apparently offered a swap deal to bring Ronaldo to Madrid.
Erik ten Hag admitted uncertainty over Cristiano Ronaldo’s future, while hailing Bruno Fernandes amidst Scott McTominay’s handball controversy. Elsewhere, pundits have been torn over the new Red Devils signings with Graeme Souness suggesting Lisandro Martinez will be “found out” and Rio Ferdinand scoffing at Souness’s comments about Casemiro.
