Manchester United have revealed Cristiano Ronaldo's absence from training is due to family reasons, amid questions over the forward's future.
Ronaldo has only been back at Old Trafford for one season after 12 years away with Real Madrid and Juventus. He finished as the club's top scorer last term, but speculation has been mounting over his longer-term future with the club despite him signing a two-year deal when he returned to England from Turin.
United have reportedly made contact with other players as the prospect of a season without Ronaldo becomes a possibility. One of those is Argentina forward Paulo Dybala, who is a free agent after ending a long stint with Juventus himself.
A statement from the club, as relayed by the Manchester Evening News, explains Ronaldo is not expected back today "due to family reasons and the club has accepted this explanation".
The situation has piled additional pressure on new manager Erik ten Hag, who has only just welcomed his squad to training ahead of the 2022-23 campaign. United finished last season down in sixth place in the Premier League, and the former Ajax boss will hope to lead his team back up the table.
Ronaldo scored 18 goals in the league last season and 24 in all competitions. However, this tally was his lowest since leaving the club for the first time back in 2009.
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The Portugal international forward had been on international duty at the start of June before heading out on holiday with his family. Ronaldo had been pictured in Majorca, where he was staying at a secluded location with his partner Georgina Rodriguez and children.
Ronaldo had earlier reportedly told the club he wanted to leave, only to be hit with a firm response. The club informed the 37-year-old must join up with the squad for their pre-season tour ahead of their first season under new manager Ten Hag.
United are due to spent time in Thailand and Australia in advance of the new season, taking on a number of their Premier League rivals - among other clubs - in a busy pre-season programme. Their new league campaign doesn't begin until early August, with the Red Devils beginning the season with a match against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Ronaldo's representatives are said to have sounded out two clubs as the forward's future remains the subject of scrutiny. The club's finish last season was reportedly a factor in him telling the club it could be time for him to move on, as he looks to add more trophies before the end of his career.
