Cristiano Ronaldo: Situation threatening to turn ugly as star repeats exit demand and Man Utd make decision on Antoine Griezmann swap

Cristiano Ronaldo remains at serious loggerheads with Manchester United over his future after a meeting with Erik ten Hag on Wednesday failed to find a resolution over his future.

Returning to Old Trafford last summer after 12 years away, his United return is threatening to turn seriously sour just 12 months on. Ronaldo enjoyed a solid season on a personal level, scoring 24 goals in 38 appearances. However, his teammates failed to be inspired by his brilliance and could only labour to a sixth-placed finish.

Despite his personal success, Ronaldo’s time at United has been soured by claims that he is not a team player. With Ralf Rangnick admitting that he could not get the balance right, Ronaldo’s place in the side has come in for criticism from a manner of pundits.

But rather than stick around and help the team rebuild under Ten Hag, Ronaldo has made clear his wish to leave.

Their sixth-placed finish last season only brings Europa League football to Old Trafford. And as the Champions League’s all-time top goalscorer, that is a competition Ronaldo wishes to continue in as his battle with Lionel Messi continues.

As such, he has instructed his agent Jorge Mendes to find him a new club this summer.

However, Ten Hag is in no mood to let Ronaldo leave. With funds tight at Old Trafford, the United boss can ill afford to shop around for a new striker. Instead, the last of his money is likely to be spent on landing a new midfielder.

On the subject of Ronaldo’s future, Ten Hag has made his feelings perfectly clear.

That said, options on clubs for Ronaldo to sign for do look thin on the ground. The likes of Chelsea, Bayern Munich and even his first club Sporting Lisbon have all ruled themselves out.

Cristiano Ronaldo exit wish is for two reasons

Despite that, Ronaldo is adamant in his wish to leave and still believes he can get hooked up with a new club.

In an effort to break the deadlock, Ten Hag met with the player at the club’s Carrington training base on Wednesday.

In an effort to ease the tension, the Dutchman has already informed Mendes of Ronaldo’s importance to the cause.

However, rather than listen to Ten Hag’s wishes, The Times reports Ronaldo merely repeated his demand to leave.

They also claim Ronaldo’s wish to leave is two-fold. Firstly, on a professional level he wants to compete in the Champions League for a 20th consecutive season.

Ronaldo not only holds the record for most goals (140), but also most appearances (183) and assists (42).

Secondly, and on a personal level, Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez lost a son in childbirth in April. As such, they wish to move on for family reasons and to help with the grieving process.

And despite Ten Hag’s wishes, it seems Ronaldo is refusing to take no for an answer over his quest to leave.

Griezmann, Ronaldo swap talk

Despite United showing sympathy to the Ronaldo situation so far, the debate over his future is threatening to turn ugly.

The player believes that if he sticks to his guns, Manchester United will have little option but to grant his request.

Ronaldo is reportedly encouraged by two transfer options as things stand.

And despite the denials coming from both clubs, he believes a move to Atletico Madrid or Bayern Munich could be on the cards.

The 37-year-old is reportedly open to the possibility of signing for either club. And given both can offer him Champions League football, those are options he is emploring Mendes to explore.

That said, any move to Atletico would not go down too well with the club’s fervent fan base. To that end, protests have already been set-up.

In order to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, Atletico would also need to free up some wages.

Jorge Mendes optimistic about Ronaldo to Atletico Madrid

Jorge Mendes is optimistic about Cristiano Ronaldo sealing a move to Atletico Madrid this summer.

To that end, the club are reportedly looking to move Antoine Griezmann to accommodate the Portuguese star.

As such, speculation has suggested that a swap deal could prove the solution for all parties.

However, The Athletic claims United have no desire to bring Griezmann to Old Trafford. As such, any possibility of a swap deal between the clubs has now been ruled out.

One thing we can say for certain, though is that his departure will leave Ten Hag with big issues in his attack and having to scour the market for a replacement.

To that end, United’s wish to sign Benjamin Sesko have been mocked by RB Salzburg.