Just weeks after dealing with Cristiano Ronaldo's strop against Tottenham, Erik ten Hag has once again been forced to act as a result of the Manchester United outcast's controversial behaviour.
Ronaldo was offered an olive branch by the Dutchman after storming out of Old Trafford against Spurs, but his explosive comments criticising Ten Hag and the Glazer family in an unsanctioned interview with Piers Morgan has made the 37-year-old's position at the club untenable.
Mirror Football understands that Ronaldo's teammates do not want the former Juventus star to return to the club after the World Cup - and Ten Hag has made a similar demand to the United hierarchy after Ronaldo's damning remarks relating to him.
Ronaldo claimed that he had no "respect" for Ten Hag, and the former Ajax chief has now made it clear to club officials - including co-owner Joel Glazer, chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough - that there is no way that Ronaldo can play under him again.
While both parties are seemingly on the same page over Ronaldo's future, offloading the veteran may not be as straightforward as it seems - regardless of Ten Hag's demand.
United have taken legal advice in the wake of Ronaldo's bombshell interview, but the onus could still be on the forward's agent Jorge Mendes to facilitate a move for his client once the transfer window reopens in the New Year.
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Ronaldo tried - and failed - to engineer an exit from the club in the summer following Manchester United's calamitous Premier League campaign last term.
But already, potential suitors have distanced themselves from the Portuguese star, which could see the five-time Ballon d'Or winner left in no man's land if he fails once again in his bid to secure a move away from Old Trafford.
United released a statement on Monday morning to acknowledge Ronaldo's comments in the media, but they outlined that they will not respond fully until the "full facts" had been established.
The 90-minute interview is set to air in full over the course of Wednesday and Thursday - and it is widely anticipated that Ronaldo will drop further bombshells in the extensive chat, which will air as part of Morgan's show on TalkTV.
The statement read: "Manchester United notes the media coverage regarding an interview by Cristiano Ronaldo. The club will consider its response after the full facts have been established.
"Our focus remains on preparing for the second half of the season and continuing the momentum, belief and togetherness being built among the players, manager, staff and fans."
