Manchester United are ready to grant Cristiano Ronaldo's wish to leave – amid concerns that his unhappiness is affecting the morale of the squad.
Ronaldo has expressed his desire to leave United before the transfer window closes on September 1, but the Premier League club have previously insisted that their most high-profile and decorated player is not for sale.
But it has now emerged there are those within the club who feel it would be in the best interests of Erik ten Hag's squad to allow Ronaldo to leave United, just a year on from h is celebrated return to Old Trafford.
Those who work with the United squad on a daily basis have become alarmed at the impact Ronaldo's disillusionment is starting to have on the rest of Ten Hag's players. While Dutchman ten Hag has publicly maintained United's stance Ronaldo is not for sale, privately it is understood he has misgivings about the value of keeping the 37-year-old against his will.
Having lost their opening two Premier League games, confidence is low among United's players and ten Hag cannot afford for any more negative influences to further undermine his squad. With Ronaldo wanting out and not committed to ten Hag's long-term vision, there are those within the club who are of the belief it is best to let the United icon leave this summer.
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Ronaldo's representatives made it known the forward wanted out of United in June, while the five-time Ballon d'Or winner missed the club's pre-season tour for personal reasons.
Despite returning to the fold and starting United's humiliating 4-0 defeat at Brentford last Saturday, Ronaldo has maintained his desire to leave the club in this transfer window. Ten Hag, chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough must now decide if it is in the best interests of United to let Ronaldo go, despite their bullish public stance to the contrary.
