Manchester United players do not expect Cristiano Ronaldo to be part of the squad when the Premier League resumes, sources have told ESPN.
Club bosses have been discussing the 37-year-old’s future at Old Trafford after his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan.
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Co-chairman Joel Glazer, football director John Murtough, chief executive Richard Arnold and manager Erik ten Hag held a meeting on Monday while United have also sought legal advice about how best to solve the issue.
Ten Hag, according to sources, believes he cannot work with Ronaldo again after the striker said that he “doesn’t respect” the Dutchman, and has communicated that view to the Glazers, Arnold and Murtough.
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Sources have also told ESPN that the majority of the squad do not believe there is a way back for the Portugal international, particularly because Ten Hag has taken such a hardline on squad discipline since taking over as a manager in the summer.
Ronaldo was among the United players reprimanded in July after they were pictured leaving early during a preseason friendly with Rayo Vallecano.
He was then suspended by Ten Hag in October for refusing to appear as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur and missed the 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
