Cristiano Ronaldo has asked to be allowed to leave Manchester United should the Premier League club receive a satisfactory offer in the transfer window.
The 37-year-old’s decision is driven by a desire to play in the Champions League for the remainder of his career.
Ronaldo has been part of 19 consecutive Champions League seasons since leaving Sporting Lisbon for English football in the summer of 2003, establishing high watermarks for appearances (183), goals (140) and assists (42) in Europe’s premier club competition. He has never played in the Europa League, in which United will feature this season after finishing sixth in the Premier League.
The Portugal player believes he has “three or four years” left at the highest level of the game and would like to be allowed to leave should a suitable offer be lodged for his services. He is said to be confident of having three or four years left at the top level and challenging for trophies – United having not lifted a piece of silverware since 2017 .
It of course remains to be seen whether a deal for the striker would be possible with a number of clubs having already been linked with a move for his services. Former club Juventus have already been linked, whilst agent Jorge Mendes also held a meeting with new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly and the forward was mentioned .
“Cristiano is not for sale,” a source said. “We want – and fully expect – him to be with us next season.”
That is a stance that his current teammates are also taking as new boss Erik ten Hag prepares to oversee his first season at Old Trafford since a switch from Ajax. Portuguese compatriot Bruno Fernandes has claimed that he does not expect the Red Devils would be willing to cash-in on the 24-goal forward following a private chat during the off-season.
Speaking earlier this season, he said: “I spoke to him a few weeks ago – we’re both on vacation, no one bothers friends on vacation – I hope to meet him on the fourth to train there at Manchester United, I’m not expecting more than that.
“There is nothing more than that, but each one takes care of their future. I don’t believe that the club is willing to lose a player of the value of Cristiano.”
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