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LONDON. — Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly wants to leave Manchester United in January and Erik ten Hag “will not stand in his way”.
The Portuguese legend was left on the bench for Sunday’s dismal 6-3 thrashing at Manchester City — something the boss says he did “out of respect for his big career”.
Ronaldo looked a frustrated figure as he watched from the dug-out and The Telegraph now claims that he is “hoping to get a move in January” after his failed attempt to leave over the summer.
The 37-year-old pushed to leave United in the summer as he wanted to join a Champions League club but a move failed to materialise.
Ronaldo’s future at United has looked increasingly in doubt since the start of the season as he has started just one of the club’s seven English Premier League games so far.
Ten Hag and United were adamant that Ronaldo would not be sold in the summer, but according to The Telegraph, both the club and the manager have agreed to let the Portugal international depart if a suitable offer arrives in January.
Ten Hag wanted to keep the 37-year-old Portuguese forward at Old Trafford upon his arrival.
However, this report now states that he is “open to letting” him go if an acceptable offer comes in.
The report claims that Ronaldo is still hoping to leave United before the end of the season but has remained ”highly professional” despite his lack of playing time under Ten Hag.
The veteran has been largely consigned to the substitutes bench this season following his controversial summer.
After failing to secure his exit, Ronaldo returned late to pre-season training.
That led to him being benched for the opening day defeat to Brighton.
He was back in the starting XI the following week, but he and his team-mates were left humiliated as they were thrashed 4-0 at Brentford.
Ronaldo was then pushed back to the bench, and that coincided with United going on a four-game winning run in the top-flight.
He did, however, get another opportunity in the Europa League but he drew a blank as the Red Devils were beaten at home by Real Sociedad.
But a week later the superstar was celebrating as he finally got off the mark for the season by scoring a penalty in the 2-0 win at Sheriff in the same competition on September 15 — which was his last outing for the club.
Now his chances of getting more regular action appear to be even more slim after Anthony Martial, who came on instead of him, returned from injury to score twice against City.
Chelsea could potentially revisit a deal for Ronaldo this winter after co-owner Todd Boehly considered a move in the summer before it was opposed by Thomas Tuchel, who has now been replaced by Graham Potter.
It’s understood that Ronaldo received a concrete offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal worth in excess of £200 million, but he rejected a move.
Ronaldo was also offered to Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich but all four clubs were not interested.
Speaking after the 6-3 defeat to City, former United captain Roy Keane accused the club of ‘disrespecting’ Ronaldo by keeping him in the summer.
“I think he should’ve been let go before the transfer window (closed),” Keane told Sky Sports.
“I think the manager holding onto him, okay, you say you need options, but if you don’t hold onto Ronaldo to sit on the bench.
”He’s one of the greatest players ever, he had options, this idea that he had no options is rubbish. He did have options, four or five very good options. — The Sun
Online Reporter