A lot of Manchester United fans have come to assume that they have seen the last of Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford… but that may not be the case.
Manchester United are set to play two pre-season friendlies this coming weekend, one against Atletico Madrid and the other Rayo Vallecano.
The Atletico Madrid fixture will be played in Oslo, Norway, and Erik ten Hag is set to pick his strongest XI for that fixture to get 90 minutes under their belts, which may see new boys Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez feature.
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The travelling squad to Norway has been officially released, with Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka noticeable absentees.
The following day, a second string XI will play against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford, however that second string XI looks like it is set to contain a man who has caused much drama this summer: Cristiano Ronaldo.
It is well documented that Ronaldo wants to leave Manchester United this summer after the side failed to secure Champions League football for the coming season, and the latest reports suggest Ronaldo has ‘begged’ United to set a transfer fee that allows him to leave.
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Manchester United have stayed firm in stating that Ronaldo is not for sale.
Cristiano Ronaldo has now confirmed that he will play on Sunday, replying to an Instagram post stating “Sunday the king plays,” accompanied by a thumbs up emoji.
This is not the only action Cristiano Ronaldo has taken on Instagram today.
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Earlier this morning, there was a comment from his account under a post displaying Altetico Madrid fans’ banner that reads “CR7 NOT WELCOME'' amid rumours of the club’s interest in the player.
He also took to Instagram comments under another Ronaldo fan page to address the “lies” the media have told regarding him.
The comment was in relation to a post discussing information released through the media about Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes’ meeting with Manchester United chiefs.
According to Manu Sainz, who has very close connections to Jorge Mendes, Ronaldo has his ‘mind set’ on a move to Atletico Madrid this summer as he wants to return to Spain for the remaining few seasons of his career.
Despite this apparent want to leave, it looks like Cristiano Ronaldo will play at Old Trafford on at least one more occasion before the Premier League season kicks off the following weekend, with Anthony Martial set to lead the line for United on 7 August against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Cristiano Ronaldo, Erik Ten Hag, Football, Atletico Madrid
