Cristiano Ronaldo is still NOT for sale say Manchester United

Manchester United have insisted that Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale in the face of mounting speculation the unsettled Portugal star could leave in the next two weeks.

Senior figures at Old Trafford and manager Erik ten Hag are said to have softened their stance on keeping Ronaldo.

But United are sticking to their official line that the 37-year-old will not be sold before the transfer window closes on September 1.

Ronaldo missed United’s pre-season tour after demanding to leave, and the positive mood that was evident in Ten Hag’s squad on the trip to Bangkok and Australia has largely evaporated since the five-time Ballon d’Or winner returned to training at the end of last month. United lost their first two games and are bottom of the table.

It’s understood that he has become an increasingly sullen figure around the club, even though he has continued to train at a high level. There is a feeling in some quarters that selling the club’s 24-goal top scorer last season might be the best option.

Ronaldo’s reluctance to be part of the high press favoured by Ten Hag is being cited as another reason why the team might be better off without him.

Agent Jorge Mendes has spent months trying to find Ronaldo a new club, but the absence of bids other than from an unnamed Saudi Arabian side has hindered attempts to get him out.

It is understood that Atletico Madrid might offer Ronaldo’s best hope of a move, not least because they have players who have been linked with United. Atletico forward Matheus Cunha is available for £42million, but sources say a swap involving Ronaldo would not be an option.

United have an interest in striker Alvaro Morata, but Antoine Griezmann is a less likely target.

Ten Hag, who has considered Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic, views signing a defensive midfielder as his biggest priority.