Wantaway Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has arrived at Carrington ahead of what could be his first appearance since informing the club he wants to leave in the summer.
Ronaldo was seen entering the training ground on Friday alongside other members of the United squad ahead of his flight to Oslo for the pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
The 37-year-old Portuguese is not expected to travel to the Norwegian capital but could feature in United’s final pre-season friendly with Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Ronaldo, who stunned the club when he told them he wanted to leave to join a team playing in the Champions League, will stay in England to work on his fitness instead of heading to Oslo.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been spotted arriving at Manchester United’s training ground
New United signings Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez drove together at Carrington
His arrival confirms he is back in training with the club after missing the entire pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia to deal with a family issue.
New United manager Erik ten Hag is believed to have two squads in training – one he sees fit and one he keeps off the pace. Ronaldo is almost certainly in the second group, having only returned to Carrington this week.
Others seen arriving at the training complex include new signings Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen, who drove together.
Ronaldo’s training camp appearance comes after he spoke publicly about his uncertain future for the first time.
In a cryptic post in response to a fan account on Instagram, Ronaldo slammed the “lies” in the media amid intense speculation about his next destination.
“It’s impossible not to talk about me for a day,” Ronaldo wrote. “Otherwise, the press doesn’t make money. You know if you don’t lie you can’t get people’s attention. Keep going one day you will get correct news.
The Portuguese star ended the post with a crying face emoji and a laughing emoji.
Sportsmail understands Ronaldo was referring to a claim in the fan account’s post that Sir Alex Ferguson had intervened in a desperate attempt to persuade the player to stay at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo and Ferguson enjoy a close relationship – the 37-year-old has referred to the legendary manager as his father – and the pair spoke of exchanging pleasantries when they were both at Carrington.
New United manager Erik ten Hag looked focused when he arrived at Carrington on Friday
Bruno Fernandes has also arrived ahead of United’s flight to Oslo later on Friday
Ferguson had been at the training ground for a previously scheduled board meeting, but the 80-year-old Scot’s presence prompted suggestions he was involved with the Ronaldo situation.
Ronaldo breaking his silence following reports that agent Jorge Mendes is working on a sensational return to Sporting Lisbon for the player. Mendes is known to be looking for a Champions League club for his client, who has indicated his intention
The Portuguese striker and Ferguson enjoy a close relationship – the 37-year-old has referred to the legendary manager as his father – and the pair spoke to exchange sympathies when they were both at Carrington.
Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken publicly about his future for the first time in a cryptic post on Instagram
Ferguson had been at the training ground for a previously scheduled board meeting, but the 80-year-old Scot’s presence prompted suggestions he was involved with the Ronaldo situation.
Bayern have admitted they discussed taking the player to the Bundesliga, while Atletico had been linked with a move despite club president Enrique Cerezo calling a deal “virtually impossible”. Atletico ultras also protested against any bid for the United striker.
According to The Athletic, talks have been held with Sporting Lisbon, the club Ronaldo left to join United in 2003.
Sporting would tick a number of boxes as they are in the Champions League after finishing second in the Primieira Liga.
Ronaldo and Mendes held talks with United at the club’s training ground this week
Ronaldo has told the club he wants to leave at the start of the summer to join a Champions League side
His agent Jorge Mendes has held talks with Sporting Lisbon about a sensational return to the club
Athletic reports, however, that Sporting coach Ruben Amorim has reservations about signing Ronaldo. It is also unclear whether the Portuguese side could afford his £360,000-a-week salary.
Mendes has also informed the club that Ronaldo, who is under contract with United until June 2023, has a “live offer” and a transfer fee is to be named for their star man.
Ronaldo and Mendes held confrontational talks with the United hierarchy this week, where he reiterated his desire to leave Old Trafford for a second time.
The club had hoped to win Ronaldo, but the talks did not change his mind – although he will continue professionally – including the possibility of taking part in the Rayo Vallecano friendly.
Ronaldo wants to leave Old Trafford for a second time, but his options appear limited
Clubs such as Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich have distanced themselves from Ronaldo’s moves
Should he feature against the Spanish side, where United are expected to field a second-string squad, it would be the first time he has played for Ten Hag after missing the pre-season tour.
United have strongly insisted they have no intention of selling Ronaldo, who only returned to Carrington on Tuesday, and have not received any inquiries for their star man.
Ronaldo underwent a medical and then trained on Wednesday before watching his teammates in a friendly behind closed doors against Wrexham.
He’s been working hard in the gym after being excused from the tour and as a result Ronaldo hasn’t immersed himself in the Ten Hag’s methods ahead of the new season and will have to gradually reintegrate.
The Dutchman spoke to Ronaldo for the first time this week. Ten Hag has stressed the Portuguese’s importance to his team despite his desire to leave through the exit door at Old Trafford.