Cristiano Ronaldo is finally travelling back to Manchester so that he can have discussions with the club, and Erik ten Hag, about his future.
The 37-year-old was absent from United's pre-season tour with personal issues, but he had also asked to leave Old Trafford days prior.
This was because of a range of reasons, most notably his drive to play Champions League football next season.
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United could not offer that after their sixth-placed finish in the Premier League last season.
Atletico Madrid are interested in the player but would need to sell at least two players in order to make room on the wage budget.
Meanwhile Chelsea and Bayern Munich have distanced themselves from the possibility of making a move for the striker.
The latest reports from David Ornstein of The Athletic say that Ronaldo is now heading back to his club and is expected in Manchester on Monday.
He will hold discussions with United, but it is unclear whether he will join the squad in training on Tuesday, after they were given the Monday off.
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He is expected to have face-to-face dialogue with Erik ten Hag "in the coming days". The Dutch manager has been very complimentary about United's no.7 in the media.
“I think Cristiano is capable of pressing,” the United boss told journalists last week. “In his career, he has shown everything. I have set my demand. We want to play in a certain way. A top player can contribute, and Ronaldo is an absolute top player in our squad.”
The club's stance remains that Ronaldo is not for sale, and that is what Ten Hag has relayed in his press conferences too.
His return is also seen as a positive sign by the club, who were in the dark about his return just 24 hours ago, according to reports elsewhere.
Sources around the matter now suggest it is increasingly likely that Ronaldo remains at United,
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But there is still a lack of clarity about the situation. You would imagine that Ten Hag will want to find that clarity when he speaks to the player.
Another report from Melissa Ridley mentioned that those inside the club have applauded the way that the new manager has dealt with the situation just weeks into his tenure, while also constructing and developing his squad on tour.
If Ronaldo does stay, Ten Hag hasn't ruled out the possibility of the year extension in his contract being triggered.
Last week he told the media: “I am well informed, he also has also an option (of another year).
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“Yes (he could stay beyond this season), but to be honest, of course, I have signed here for three years, but in football it’s short-term as well. We have to win from the start. So I don’t look that far ahead."
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Manchester United, Transfers, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Cristiano Ronaldo, Erik Ten Hag, Football, Premier League, Atletico Madrid