Manchester United would reportedly prefer not to sue Cristiano Ronaldo and have put the ball back in the striker's court as they look to resolve the saga over his future.
Ronaldo appears certain to leave United after the World Cup following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan where he took aim at the club and manager Erik ten Hag. His position at Old Trafford is now untenable, with United currently liaising with lawyers on how best to proceed.
The club issued a brief statement on Friday explaining they had "initiated appropriate steps" against Ronaldo as they consider suing and sacking the five-time Ballon d'Or winner. United have grounds to terminate his deal over a breach of contract, but it is understood club chiefs would prefer not to sue.
According to ESPN, United have informed Ronaldo that suing him remains an option, albeit one they would rather not take. The club do want to get Ronaldo off their books however, and could rip up his contract on grounds of misconduct, providing they give 14 days' notice.
United are keen to resolve the matter quickly and without fuss and are now awaiting Ronaldo's response. How United proceed from there will depend largely on Ronaldo's reaction. The 37-year-old is currently focusing on performing at the World Cup with Portugal, who play their first group game against Ghana on Thursday.
Yet United do not want to leave it too long after the World Cup to get the situation sorted, setting a hopeful deadline of December 21 - two days after the final and the date of United's first game back against Burnley in the Carabao Cup - to make a final decision.
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Terminating Ronaldo's deal would allow him to negotiate with other clubs as a free agent. Should United opt against ripping up his contract, the January transfer window will be the first opportunity they have to sanction a move elsewhere.
But Ronaldo will not be welcome at United's Carrington training base after the World Cup - or indeed earlier, should Portugal be knocked out ahead of the final. Complicating matters is Ronaldo's exorbitant £500,000-per-week salary, which United will be able to free up on their budget if they sack him.
Finding another club to stump up that kind of money for the veteran is unlikely - unless he is tempted by a move to the Middle East. Ronaldo will almost certainly have to lower his wage demands to complete a transfer to another club in Europe.
Asked by Morgan whether he sees a future for himself at United after the World Cup, Ronaldo said: "It's difficult to tell right now, it’s because, we, my mood is right now to The World Cup. It's probably my last World Cup, of course, my fifth World Cup.
"I don't know what's gonna happen after the World Cup, but as I told you before, and I will say again, the fans will be always in my heart. And I hope they [are on] my side, even if I'm back, or if I'm not back, or if I stay or whatever.
"Nobody's perfect. Episodes in the life we all have is part of being human, is part of me to be a human being and father as well. I always will commit mistakes.
"But I don't know, it's hard to tell right now what's going to happen [after the] World Cup because my focus is for the World Cup, for the Portugal national team.”
