Cristiano Ronaldo arrived Carrington training ground on Friday morning to train with members of the U-21 team of Manchester United after being dropped from the senior team’s squad ahead of a match with Chelsea this weekend.
Recall that Manchester United had confirmed that the 37-year-old Portuguese football star will not be part of Erik ten Hag’s squad for Saturday evening’s game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge after he stormed down the tunnel during their 2-0 win against Tottenham at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.
The MEN reported that Ronaldo arrived at Carrington at 8.30am on Friday morning as the club’s U21 players did. No first-team players were present, and he is expected to train with the Reserves.
It is also yet to be confirmed whether the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been fined.
Wednesday’s incident has put the fragile working relationship between Ten Hag and Ronaldo under intense scrutiny and cast further doubt over the Portuguese footballer’s future.
It is understood that Ronaldo has shown thinly veiled disdain for Ten Hag and his coaching team, to the extent of blatantly ignoring one senior staff figure.
Players are said to be aware of Ronaldo and Ten Hag clashing on a daily basis, although it is not affecting the spirit in camp.
Ten Hag still sees Ronaldo as a valuable member of the squad and sources told the English media that there is no desire to cut the player adrift despite the latest fall-out.
However, it is increasingly apparent that a parting of the ways would be best for both parties in the January transfer window, if Ronaldo can find a new club and United can sign a replacement striker.
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