The Portuguese superstar, 37, is currently on leave from training for “family reasons”. 2 Cristiano Ronaldo is determined to leave Manchester United after failing to secure the Champions League in footballCredit: Getty 2 The Red Devils have accepted they will be forced to part ways with Ronaldo this summerCredit: Getty But Ronaldo has already made it clear he wants to quit after an unsuccessful return to Old Trafford ten months ago. United were initially positive their star striker would still be with them next season. But the Red Devils bigwigs have now recognized they cannot keep him against his will and want to avoid a long, drawn-out battle. New boss Erik ten Hag had admitted he wanted United’s legendary No.7 to stay. He said: “Ronaldo is a giant because of what he has already shown and he is still very ambitious. Of course I would like to keep him.” However, after talks with the board, Ten Hag now accepts that it will have to plan for the future without him. While Ronaldo was top scorer with 24 goals last season, United finished sixth with 58 points – their lowest tally in the Prem era and 35 points behind champions Manchester City. SunSport reported in January that Ronaldo’s advisers had told incoming chief executive Richard Arnold their client would not stay if the club failed to qualify for the Champions League. FREE BET AND SIGN UP OFFERS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS Despite his age, the very fit forward still believes he can win honors at the highest level – just not with United. He signed a two-year contract on his return from Juventus last August. But he was immediately disappointed with how standards at the club have fallen since he left for Real Madrid in 2009. Ron was also frustrated with how many younger players were unwilling to take advice. Meanwhile, free midfielder Christian Eriksen, 30, is close to signing and is expected to join his new team-mates on the second leg of their tour of Australia. The Red Devils fly to Bangkok tomorrow and face Liverpool on Tuesday. United are also hoping to sign midfielder Frenkie de Jong, 25, in a £56million deal, despite Barcelona president Joan Laporta insisting they do not want to sell him. De Jong moved to the Nou Camp from Ten Hag’s former club Ajax in 2019. Barca’s financial problems mean the sale could go ahead, with Laporta admitting: “We don’t want to sell at the moment, but we might be interested.” United have accepted a £10m bid from Fulham for Brazilian midfielder Andreas Pereira, 26.
