Manchester United will not stand in Cristiano Ronaldo's way if their Portuguese superstar demands to leave Old Trafford.
Ronaldo, 37, is believed to be ready to quit the Reds again in the summer if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.
And Sunday Mirror Sport understands that United will allow him to walk out if he makes it clear he wants to go.
There is now a growing acceptance inside the club that bringing Ronaldo back after 11 years spent with Real Madrid and Juventus was an error of judgement driven by both commercial factors and the determination to stop him joining rivals Manchester City.
Ronaldo was expected to transform the Reds into contenders for the Premier League and Champions League.
Instead, he has become a sideshow.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked and interim manager Ralf Rangnick inherited a squad unable to deliver on his high-energy demands for 90 minutes.
Despite topping United’s scoring charts with 15 goals, Ronaldo is showing signs of wear and tear after playing almost 19 seasons at the top level.
His flashes of petulance have undermined both Solskjaer and Rangnick in the dressing room.
But the clock is now ticking on the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s stellar playing career.
Ronaldo will not want to miss out on the Champions League - but finding another top club might be a problem.
City’s interest in signing him was driven by their belief that Juventus were ready to allow him to leave for free to get him off their payroll.
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But United paid the £13million - and handed the forward a £480,000-a-week contract that makes him the highest-paid player in the Premier League.
The deal also included another potential £8m in add-ons - although United’s struggles on the pitch mean most of them will not be triggered.
United would look to claw back some of their money should Ronaldo ask to leave if a top-four finish is beyond Rangnick.
There is no clause in Ronaldo’s contract outlining what would happen should they fail to qualify for the Champions League.
United will lose Edinson Cavani when the Uruguayan's contract expires in the summer.
Anthony Martial does not want to return to Old Trafford after being allowed to join Sevilla on loan.
And Mason Greenwood’s future is unclear following his arrest by police on serious assault charges.
Losing Ronaldo is not in their plans - but club bosses know it would be impossible to keep him against his will.
Commercially, his return has been a huge success.
Earlier this month the club illustrated their continuing pulling power with a new £20m-a-year training kit sponsorship deal with blockchain platform Tezos.
But it hasn’t worked out on the pitch, with Ronaldo physically unable to defend from the front as Rangnick demands.
