Manchester United have confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will be dropped from the squad to face Chelsea this weekend. The Blues are set to host the Red Devils at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon as the race for top-four heats up.
The 37-year-old striker left Old Trafford early last night despite his side beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0. He was an unused substitute by Ten Hag, as goals from Bruno Fernandes and Fred held Antonio Conte's side to a disappointing defeat away to United.
An official statement released by the club read: "Cristiano Ronaldo will not be part of the Manchester United squad for this Saturday's Premier League game against Chelsea. The rest of the squad is fully focused on preparing for that fixture."
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Ronaldo was heavily linked with an exit from Manchester United in the summer, with Chelsea one of several clubs linked with securing his services. football.london understand that the Blues sounded out a move for the Portugal international in July, with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner eager to ply his trade in the Champions League.
And according to ESPN, Ronaldo was even open to a move to Stamford Bridge. If Chelsea decide to reignite interest in the striker, then the club have been handed a huge boost after Diego Simeone downplayed speculation that a move for the Portuguese star is on the cards.
Speaking to Martin Liberman, as quoted by Atleti Universe, the Atletico Madrid boss said: "Cristiano Ronaldo's possible arrival at Atlético de Madrid in the summer? The little birds [journalists] told you anything far from what has happened - people sometimes speak to tell what they want to tell, not reality," the Argentinian added. "Ronaldo is an absolute benchmark for Real Madrid.
"I wouldn't see [Martín] Palermo or [Juan Román] Riquelme playing in River or [Ariel] Ortega in Boca. There are situations that are very clear."
After the saga at Old Trafford in the final moments of the Spurs clash, great doubt has been cast over Ronaldo's future at the club. With Todd Boehly also known to be interested in the striker, then Chelsea could be tempted into capitalising on this opportunity.
The American billionaire Boehly met Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes in the summer to discuss a potential move, according to The Athletic. It's said that Ronaldo, who sees his contract at Old Trafford expire at the end of the season, was offered to Bayern Munich, but the German giants turned their nose up at the chance.
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