Manchester United remain determined to keep Cristiano Ronaldo, despite being linked with free agent Paulo Dybala as a possible replacement.
Ronaldo is the only United player yet to return to pre-season training as doubts grow as to whether he will be back at the club in time for the start of the pre-season tour. United fly to Bangkok, Thailand on Friday for the first leg of a tour that also includes trips to Melbourne and Perth, Australia.
The 37-year-old has been allowed to miss what should have been the start of his pre-season after requesting leave due to "family issues". Ten Hag gave his players a day off today (Wednesday) but Ronaldo was not among United's returning international players on Monday or Tuesday.
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It comes after stories at the weekend that suggested Ronaldo had told United he wanted to leave the club after their failure to qualify for the Champions League. Agent Jorge Mendes has held talks with new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly and the Portuguese forward has also been linked with Bayern Munich.
But United's stance remains unchanged and club sources insist last season's top goalscorer is not for sale. Ronaldo has a year remaining on the two-year deal he signed on his return to Old Trafford in 2021, while there is also the option of a further one-year extension.
Reports in Italy have linked Dybala with a move to United. A transfer fell through in 2019 when Dybala's wage demands scuppered a move but the Argentina forward is now without a club after leaving Juventus at the end of last month.
He had been expected to sign for Inter Milan, but they have recently completed a deal to bring Romelu Lukaku back to the club on loan and have financial issues of their own to work through.
United sources insist that there have been no talks with Dybala's camp, however, with the focus still on keeping Ronaldo at the club next season.
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