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Rob DawsonReporter
Cristiano Ronaldo won’t train with Manchester United on Monday after the club allowed him to delay his return for “family reasons,” sources have told ESPN.
United’s internationals will be at Carrington to begin their pre-season schedule after being given an extra week off by coach Erik ten Hag after taking part in games for their country in June.
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However, Ronaldo has been on a long break. The team will fly to kick off their pre-season tour in Thailand and Australia on Friday.
News comes later source told ESPN that the 37-year-old has informed Old Trafford owners that he wants to leave the club this summer.
Ronaldo, who scored 24 goals last season, is keen to play in the Champions League and has doubts about United’s ambitions to challenge for top honors.
Sources have told ESPN that Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Naples is one of the interested clubs.
United insist Ronaldo is not transferable and they “want and expect” him to be part of Ten Hag’s squad next season.
Ten Hag has turned his attention to signing a versatile striker instead of a No 9 this summer after missing out Darwin Nunez against Liverpool and losing Ronaldo would leave the Dutchman with only Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial to lead the line.
Meanwhile, sources have told ESPN that United hope to finalize the signing Tyrell Malacia in Monday.
The left-back is in Carrington to undergo the second part of his medical process before moving in from Feyenoord. The 22-year-old will become the first to sign Ten Hag and will be part of the team that will depart for Bangkok on Friday.
