Cristiano Ronaldo situation at Manchester United remains "very complicated"

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has said that Cristiano Ronaldo's situation at Manchester United is "still very complicated", with the attacker no closer to securing a summer move.

At the start of July, the 37-year-old is believed to have informed the Red Devils that he wants to leave during this summer's transfer window, as he is determined to continue challenging for major trophies at this stage of his career.

However, Man United have continually insisted that the Portugal international is not for sale, while potential suitors, including the likes of Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, are believed to have ruled themselves out of the running for his signature.

Ronaldo did not travel with the Red Devils squad on their pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia due to a personal issue, and he has still not reported to Carrington, with Man United unclear when the forward might be available for selection.

Romano has said that the club's new head coach Erik ten Hag is still hopeful of convincing the Portuguese to "change his mind" and remain at Old Trafford for the 2022-23 campaign.

© Reuters

"The situation is still very complicated," Romano told CBS Sports. "Cristiano wants to leave but Erik ten Hag still hopes to change his mind and have Cristiano Ronaldo as part of the team. Manchester United insist that Cristiano is not for sale but Cristiano's agent is trying to push with clubs around Europe.

"It is not easy because at the moment Chelsea are not keen on this kind of deal in particular Thomas Tuchel, and Bayern also stated in public that they are not interested in Ronaldo but Jorge Mendes is still pushing.

"He received proposals from Arabic clubs but at the moment Cristiano is waiting for some European opportunity. He wants to continue in Europe and Ten Hag is waiting to have a new conversation with Cristiano."

Ronaldo scored 24 goals and registered three assists in 37 appearances for Man United last season, but the club will not be in the Champions League next term due to their sixth-place finish in the Premier League.

Atletico Madrid are viewed as possible contenders for his signature, although a lot would have to happen for the Red and Whites to be able to afford to sign him.

© Reuters

"No. It's the same as last week. Of course, concerning is maybe not the right word (over his absence). I focus on the players who are there and they are doing really well. They are in good shape and I have further focus on that and develop that. I cannot wait for him to come in and then we will integrate him," Ten Hag told reporters on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Dutchman recently insisted that Ronaldo would stay at Old Trafford this summer despite his apparent desire to seek pastures new.

"We are planning for Cristiano Ronaldo for the season and that's it," Ten Hag told recently reporters. "I'm looking forward to working with him. I have read [that he wants to leave], but what I say is Cristiano is not for sale, he is in our plans and we want success together.

"I spoke with him before this issue came up, I had a conversation with him and I had a good talk. That is between Cristiano and me. What I can confirm is we had a really good conversation together."

Ronaldo's agent Mendes is believed to have told interested clubs that his client is prepared to take "a significant pay cut" this summer in order to secure a move away from Man United.