Cristiano Ronaldo will reportedly start United’s first Premier League game of the 2022-23 season on the bench due to persistent doubts about his future at the club.
The Portuguese superstar has a year left on his £360,000-a-week contract with Manchester United, but he expressed his wish to depart earlier this summer in order to chase Champions League football.
The 37-year-old forward also missed United’s pre-season tours in Bangkok and Australia after the club offered him additional time off to deal with a family matter.
Ronaldo made his United debut against Rayo Vallecano, playing only 45 minutes before leaving the field before the final whistle.
According to reports, Erik ten Hag has decided that Ronaldo will start United’s first Premier League game of the season against Brighton on the bench.
After impressing during pre-season, the Dutch manager is ready to reward Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial, and Marcus Rashford with starting spots.
However, ten Hag is concerned about Martial’s fitness just four days before their Premier League opener against Brighton on Sunday.
The Frenchman suffered a hamstring injury in United’s 1-0 preseason loss to Atletico Madrid, exiting the field after an hour.
It is a disappointment for the Dutch manager because Martial had recaptured his best form when on United’s pre-season trip this summer.
Martial was anticipated to leave the club this summer after falling out of favor last season and being loaned to Sevilla, but he instead played a big role in pre-season and is likely to play a key position in Ten Hag’s plans moving ahead.
Goals against Liverpool, Melbourne Victory, and Crystal Palace have given some hope that Martial may reclaim his place as a key player for United after a number of seasons in which he failed to live up to his early potential.
If Martial is ruled out, Ten Hag could turn to Ronaldo, who only returned to the club last summer after leaving for Real Madrid in 2009.
Ronaldo, on the other hand, has stated his desire to leave the club this summer and arrange a transfer before United’s first game of the season.
Nonetheless, Ten Hag will be desperate to walk away with a result from United’s 2022-23 season opener against Brighton.