Cristiano Ronaldo not selected for Manchester United friendly vs. Atlético
FILE - Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo holds the ball after Chelsea's Marcos Alonso scored his side's first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Chelsea, at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England, Thursday, April, 2022. By Thursday, July 21, 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo has not yet returned to preseason training with Manchester United because of what has been publicly described as “personal reasons.” Ronaldo reportedly wants out after only one season back at Old Trafford because United is no longer in the Champions League or in shape to compete with the best teams in England. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson, File) Credit: AP/Dave Thompson
MANCHESTER, England — Cristiano Ronaldo was missing from Manchester United's 21-man squad that flew to Norway on Friday for a friendly match against Atlético Madrid.
Ronaldo hasn’t played any preseason matches for United and is reportedly looking for a move to a team that has qualified for the Champions League this season. He held talks with United manager Erik ten Hag at the club’s training base on Tuesday.
United plays Atlético in Oslo on Saturday and has a final friendly on Sunday — against Rayo Vallecano — before opening its Premier League campaign against Brighton on Aug. 7.
United hasn’t said if Ronaldo would be available against Rayo Vallecano.
“Some of those absent from the squad,” United said, referring to the Atlético match, “will take part in Sunday’s game against Rayo Vallecano, while others are ill or injured.”
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