TV presenter Piers Morgan has claimed that it is "highly unlikely" that Cristiano Ronaldo will play for Manchester United again amid ongoing uncertainty about his future.
Ronaldo, who returned to Old Trafford almost a year ago from Italian giants Juventus, wants to leave United this summer in pursuit of Champions League football. It is also understood that the Portuguese international is disappointed by the club's slow start to the transfer window and is "upset" by the squad being forced to accept a 25 per cent reduction in their salaries.
Chelsea and Bayern Munich had been heavily linked with signing the 37-year-old up until recently, but have since shelved their interest, meaning the striker's options now seem limited. United manager Erik ten Hag has continued to reiterate he is part of plans despite not yet getting the chance to work with him.
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United return from their pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia next week and it remains to be seen if Ronaldo will be reunited with the squad at Carrington ahead of the season getting under way in just over a fortnight's time. But in the opinion of Morgan, who often claims to have a close friendship with the striker, Ronaldo's mind is focused on matters elsewhere.
"I have had quite a lot of contact in the last week," Morgan told talkSPORT. "I certainly think it'd be highly unlikely if Cristiano Ronaldo plays another game for Manchester United.
"I just think mentally he's moved on. I'm not going to say what we've said to each other but like I said from the start I don't think Cristiano feels Manchester United share his ambitions. I think he feels that the signings they're making, the commitment they showed last season, where they finished up and a lack of Champions League football."
Morgan, who often claims that he is in regular contact with Ronaldo, is an avid Arsenal supporter and has often tried to persuade him to join the Gunners. And he is still attempting to try and lure him to the Emirates Stadium.
Morgan added: "Arsenal fans listening should know I’m doing everything in my power to try and persuade him to come to Arsenal. And bearing in mind he was close to coming to Arsenal as an 18-year-old, he was about to sign under Arsene Wenger, and at the last minute he blitzed United in a friendly for Sporting Lisbon and [Sir Alex] Ferguson didn't leave that game until he signed him.
"I believe he'd be coming home. Him up front with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah would be a fantastic forward line for us, so why not?"
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