Cristiano Ronaldo showed his full focus is on the Manchester derby, leaving an autograph-hunting fan disappointed.
The 37-year-old is set to return to the Manchester United starting line-up as they take on City at The Etihad on Sunday. Ronaldo has started just one Premier League game this season, with Erik ten Hag utilising the veteran as an option off the bench.
However, with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial both major doubts, the United boss has little choice but to turn towards the club’s leading scorer from last season. Ten Hag needs Ronaldo to be at his best from the off as they look to upset the odds against the champions.
And he was spotted arriving at United’s Carrington base, ready to complete some of the final preparations for City. Ronaldo was snapped driving into the training ground and past a roadside fan who was hoping for a signature.
However, rather than stop in a line of traffic, the forward drove past, offering only a brief thumbs-up as a form of consolation. Ronaldo has previously shown he is more than happy to take time for fans, even when they enter the pitch to confront him.
Last year, during a World Cup qualifier in Dublin, a desperate supporter ran onto the pitch in order to get a moment with their hero. He shielded the young invader from stewards, giving them a hug and his match shirt before they were escorted away.
That was during a significantly happier period of time for Ronaldo, who had become the highest scorer in men’s international football just weeks before. A year on and the United star is facing calls to be dropped from the national side, amid a loss of form at club level.
Ronaldo put in a pair of below-par performances in the most recent international break which saw Fernando Santos’ miss out on the Nations League last four. Santos is now facing increased pressure to drop the skipper, with the Portuguese press claiming Bruno Fernandes needs the extra responsibility without his United teammate.
However, that doesn’t look likely with both Santos and Fernandes defending Ronaldo after defeat to Spain ended their Nations League campaign. "What interests me is how the team played. Ronaldo had three or four chances. Two very good ones, which he usually scores. He didn't score. It's football," Santos explained.
Fernandes added: “It wasn’t just Cristiano who failed. We all tried and we couldn’t. The Spain goalkeeper did very well. Cristiano is fine, with the ambition to help the national team, as he always has been and there is no need to make great stories.
“Cristiano was frustrated, just like the rest of us. He wants to score goals and the goals are going to come along. These are phases.
“When you score you will have more peace of mind to continue scoring many goals for us. Don’t forget you’re the goal-scoring record holder for the team.”
Ten Hag will address the media and confirm team news on Friday afternoon, giving a clearer indication of Ronaldo’s role, whilst also offering an update on fellow outcast Harry Maguire, who was spotted limping following England’s draw with Germany.
