RTL Today – Extra time off: Ronaldo will not travel with Man Utd for the pre-season tour

Cristiano Ronaldo will not travel with Manchester United for his pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia after the Portuguese striker was given extra time off to attend to a family issue.

Ronaldo was absent on Monday when new United manager Erik ten Hag welcomed the club’s international players to Carrington for the start of pre-season training.

The forward told the club he was dealing with a family matter and remained absent on Thursday.

As a result, Ronaldo will not be part of the group flying to Bangkok on Friday and there is no estimate as to when he will link up with United who face Liverpool in Thailand on Tuesday before flying to Australia.

It emerged at the weekend that the 37-year-old had asked to leave Old Trafford after growing unhappy with his poor form since his return last year.

United missed out on a Champions League spot after finishing sixth in the Premier League.

However, United insist Ronaldo will be part of the squad this season as Chelsea and Napoli have expressed interest.

“Cristiano Ronaldo will not be part of the Manchester United group scheduled to leave for our pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia on Friday. He has been granted additional time off to attend to a family issue,” a United spokesman told Manchester Evening News.

“Cristiano stays at Manchester United for one more season and is not for sale.”

Ronaldo scored 24 goals in all competitions last season and was named the club’s player of the year, but United’s wait for a first trophy since 2017 dragged on.