Manchester United's pre-season preparations have been dealt a huge blow by reports claiming that Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave Old Trafford in pursuit of Champions League football.
It was reported over the weekend by The Times that Ronaldo has informed United of his desire to leave the club and he wants to be granted that wish if they receive a 'satisfactory offer' for his services. He returned to the club from Juventus last August and netted 24 goals in all competitions, meaning he was one of very few positives for the Reds last term.
New manager Erik ten Hag is understood to want Ronaldo to play a key part in his plans, but doubts have now been raised about the 37-year-old's future at the club. He did not report back to Carrington on Monday for pre-season training, with "family reasons" being cited for his absence.
We want to know who you think would be an ideal replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo if he leaves Old Trafford this summer - have your say here.
Ronaldo, of course, is no ordinary striker that United would have to replace, should he leave the club; he is a five-time Ballon d'Or winner and one of the greatest players of all-time. The pressure that his replacement would be under would be enormous.
But if the Portugal international does leave, United, following the departure of fellow striker Edinson Cavani earlier this summer, would desperately need to source a new striker - and quickly. Currently, Ronaldo is United's only out-and-out senior striker at the club, with the likes of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial considered more as wingers.
The two strikers United have most frequently been linked with in recent months - Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez - have already been snapped up by Manchester City and Liverpool, respectively, meaning United's options for an elite-level striker could prove to be limited. It risks creating an unwanted headache for Ten Hag.
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