Ronaldo back in England for talks with Man Utd

Cristiano Ronaldo returns to England to hold talks with Manchester United over his future, report says

Ronaldo missed United's tour of Thailand and Australia and has yet to attend any pre-season training sessions, which is attributed to family reasons.

The 37-year-old, who reportedly asked to leave Old Trafford, trained in Portugal instead.

With United back at their Carrington training base this week after returning from Australia, The Athletic have reported that Ronaldo is due to fly to England on Monday.

It's unclear whether the five-time Ballon d'Or winner will take part in training on Tuesday, but United would view the latest development as a positive.

Ongoing speculation over Ronaldo's future comes less than a year after he returned to the club from Juventus.

Ronaldo scored 18 Premier League goals last season (only Mohamed Salah and Son Heung-min (both 23) scored more), but United still finished sixth with their lowest points tally in the competition.

He has scored 24 goals in all competitions in 2021-22, 14 more than second-best Bruno Fernandes. No other United player has reached double digits in a disastrous season.

Ronaldo is yet to join Erik ten Hag, but United's new head coach reiterated this week that the former Real Madrid star is part of his plans for this season and possibly beyond.

"It's clear - he's not for sale," Ten Hag told reporters during United's pre-season tour of Australia. "I planned to have him and I look forward to working with him.

"I am well informed that he also has an option [for an additional season]."

United have just two friendlies left to play, against Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano next weekend, before kicking off their Premier League campaign on August 7.