Manchester United insist they have 'no issue' with Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Old Trafford before the end of the club's final pre-season friendly.
Ronaldo, 37, was seen departing the stadium after he was substituted at half-time in Sunday evening's 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano. His 45-minute outing against the Spanish club was his first appearance of pre-season after he missed United's tour of Thailand and Australia due to 'family reasons', while he was also left out of the squad to face Atletico Madrid in Norway on Saturday.
The Portuguese superstar is hoping to swap the Red Devils for a club which can offer him Champions League football this season, so his decision to leave before full-time cast further doubt over his commitment to Erik ten Hag's project.
However, United - who declined to comment on Sunday - have clarified that they have no problem with Ronaldo heading off with the game still underway because he was one of a number of players to do so, as reported by Sky Sports. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was replaced by Amad during the interval and the winger took just three minutes to get on the scoresheet, giving the hosts the lead.
Rayo Vallecano hit back through Alvaro Garcia to level just before the hour mark, meaning United were held to a draw in their final fixture of pre-season. Ten Hag has expressed concern about Ronaldo's fitness levels after he missed all but one summer friendly as well as various training camps in the southern hemisphere.
However, the Dutchman is pleased with how pre-season has unfolded for the squad as a whole and is looking forward to the opening-weekend Premier League clash against Brighton on Sunday. "Overall, definitely. I think we [have had] a good pre-season," Ten Hag said as he reflected on the draw with Rayo Vallecano.
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"We make good progress. We are ready for the season. I know there is still room for improvement. We have to improve and that is also a process that continues during the season. But, for next week, it's about the result as well.
"It was a mixture between experience and youth [today]. Some guys, they need to see today, for the first time, what you can expect. You saw the attitude was really great, really the intention to co-operate. They fight and work for each other. That was positive.
"We create also a lot of chances and also conceded some chances. Overall, we have to be satisfied with this performance."
