Cristiano Ronaldo has been told that the way he demanded an exit from Manchester United this summer was ‘wrong’ and ‘disrespectful’.
Ronaldo handed in a transfer request last month after being irked by the fact that United will be playing in the Europa League in the new season.
The five time Ballon d’Or winner wants to play in the Champions League in order to cement himself as the top goal scorer in the competition’s history. He also wants to be challenging for the top honours, something he feels United are unable to do at the moment.
According to former Chelsea player Frank Leboeuf, Ronaldo was wrong to demand a move away from Old Trafford.
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He told ESPN FC: “It is (wrong) for me. It’s not professional with all due respect and the fact I appreciate the player and what he achieved in his career but it’s not professional and disrespectful towards the club.
“You have to stay, you have to show respect to the other players, to the fans that came, you still belong to the club, you signed for it, you have to play for them, didn’t make any mistakes, they want to keep you so the only thing you have to say is at least sit on the bench and wait until the end of the game.”
Despite his clear desire to seek a move away, United boss Erik ten Hag has said that Ronaldo is not for sale and remains part of his plans for the season.
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The Dutchman previously 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.”
Ronaldo appeared in the United shirt for the first time since his transfer plea on Sunday, he started Ten Hag’s first game in charge at Old Trafford against Rayo Vallecano.
The Portuguese international failed to muster a single shot on target and was substituted at half time.
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Ronaldo was then pictured leaving Old Trafford before the full time whistle, however, it has been reported that United were happy with his early exit and that other players left early too.
The 37-year-old was also filmed having what looked like a tense exchange with Ten Hag during the game against Vallecano.
Many clubs have been linked with a move for the Portugal captain but it looks increasingly likely that Ronaldo will stay at Old Trafford as teams like Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have all ruled themselves out of the race for his signature.
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Will Ronaldo be granted his wish of a move away? Only time will tell.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours
