Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly requested that his Manchester United contract is terminated so he can leave the club on a free transfer this summer.
Ronaldo, 37, is desperate to leave Old Trafford in order to play Champions League football this season.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner missed United's recent pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia after informing the club of his desire to leave.
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However, United have no intention of selling the Portuguese superstar, who still has one year remaining on his contract.
Ronaldo returned to United on Tuesday with his agent Jorge Mendes to hold crisis talks with the club.
But those negotiations have failed to change Ronaldo's mind and the Portugal captain has now requested to be released from his £360,000-a-week deal, according to the Daily Mail.
Ronaldo faces limited options should he leave United, with Chelsea and Bayern Munich already rejecting the chance to sign him this summer.
Atletico Madrid have also been linked with the striker but a return to the Spanish capital appears unlikely for the former Real Madrid star.
Atletico fans have voiced strong opposition to the club signing Ronaldo, with a group of supporters unveiling a banner in their pre-season friendly against Numancia on Wednesday, which read: "CR7 Not Welcome."
Ronaldo watched United's behind-closed-doors friendly against Wrexham on Wednesday but played no part in the match.
He is unlikely to return to the side for their next warm-up match against Atletico Madrid in Oslo, Norway on Saturday but may feature against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford on Sunday, when United are expected to field a largely second-string side.
Speaking earlier this month, United manager Erik ten Hag insisted Ronaldo remains part of his plans for the new season.
"We are planning with Cristiano Ronaldo for the season and that's it and I'm looking forward to working with him," said Ten Hag.
"I have read things but what I say is Cristiano is not for sale, he is in our plans and we want success together.
"I spoke with him before this issue came up, I had a conversation with him and I had a good talk.
"That is between Cristiano and me, what I can confirm is we had a really good conversation together."
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Football, Manchester United, Premier League, Transfers
Rory O'Callaghan