Cristiano Ronaldo ‘demands Man Utd contract terminated’ as row over future takes new turn

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly demanded that the club terminate his two-year contract so that he is free to move this summer. The Portuguese missed the entirety of the Red Devils’ pre-season tour of Thailand of Australia due to personal reasons, and showdown talks with Erik ten Hag this week have failed to change his mind on seeking an Old Trafford exit. 

Ronaldo is seemingly dead set on pursuing a 20th consecutive season in the Champions League, which he won’t be able to fulfil at United after they finished sixth in the Premier League last term. The team flopped despite the veteran’s best efforts, and the owners disposed of two managers before appointing Ten Hag this summer. 

The Dutchman has been landed with an almighty task before even banking a competitive match with the Red Devils as club legend Ronaldo is pushing to jump ship. The Portuguese arrived at Carrington for face-to-face talks on Tuesday with super-agent Jorge Mendes by his side, while his former boss Sir Alex Ferguson also turned up at the training complex. 

Despite United emphasising Ronaldo’s importance to the club, the player’s stance has not changed and The Daily Mail claim that he has informed the club of his wish to terminate the lucrative two-year contract he signed just last summer. 

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Ten Hag has refused to entertain speculation over a Ronaldo exit so far, but reports indicate that United have long been scouting out replacement targets behind the scenes. Ajax star Antony could be deemed to expensive, but Stuttgart marksman Sasa Kalajdzic and RB Salzburg frontman Benjamin Sesko are also thought to be in the mix. 

Fans could be forgiven for getting particularly excited about the latter following his electric display in a pre-season friendly against Liverpool on Wednesday. The teenager scored the game’s only goal with a neat finish and left James Milner bamboozled with a sensational piece of skill before the interval.