Manchester United Paid Huge Bonus To Cristiano Ronaldo Days Before Transfer Request

Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave Manchester United because he wants to play in the Champions League, but he's known the club wouldn't be in the competition since, at latest, May.

Ronaldo turned United's summer plans upside down earlier this month when he told them he didn't want to stay at the club for next season.

The 37-year-old wasn't in attendance for the first week of pre season training, as new manager Erik ten Hag got to know his players, and isn't on the tour to Thailand right now.

United even had to delay part of their kit launch, as their iconic number seven appeared alongside fellow club legends who wore the shirt, Eric Cantona and David Beckham.

However, if Ronaldo wants to play in the Champions League so badly, why did he wait until July to tell the club of his plans to leave, with the season ending two months earlier and the team finishing in sixth, 13 points off the top four.

According to the Sun, the former Real Madrid forward due to be paid a six figure bonus at the beginning of the second year of his contract, in July.

Ronaldo in the new kit, but it looks like he's trying to take it off. Image: Man United

Whilst it's not a 'loyalty' bonus as such, and is for image rights and other payouts as well, he wouldn't have been due all the money if he'd been sold before they kicked in.

"The contracts all renew at the start of July and then the news about Cristiano wanting to leave came out," an Old Trafford 'insider' told the newspaper.

"He’s done nothing wrong, but a few people have suggested the timing of it all might not be a coincidence and Ronny could have revealed his wish to leave weeks ago."

Ronaldo has been left frustrated at the lack of Champions League football in the upcoming campaign. Image: Alamy

The club had initially made it clear that the five time Ballon d'Or winner was not for sale, but reports now claim that they have accepted he will leave.

A new forward was already on Ten Hag's list of priorities this summer, but it was for a wide forward, with Ajax's Antony in line for a potential reunion with the Dutchman.

Ronaldo's departure would leave a huge hole upfront for the Old Trafford side, especially as he was far and away their top scorer in the previous campaign.

The new manager has reportedly held talks with another of his former forwards to potentially make the move to the north west of England, after calling RB Leipzig striker Brian Brobbey.

Ajax forward Antony has been strongly linked with United. Image: Alamy

Their could still be the possibility of Ronaldo staying put, if the former Juventus striker runs out of options of who he can sign for, with not too many suitors.

New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is said to have held talks with the player's agent, Jorge Mendes, and that seems like the most likely option right now.

However, there's no guarantee that manager Thomas Tuchel will want to sign the all time top scorer in men's football, especially with Raheem Sterling looking set to move to Stamford Bridge.