Manchester United deny deleted report suggesting they could terminate contract for Cristiano Ronaldo

Manchester United have endured a disastrous start to the 2022-23 Premier League season that went from bad to worse when they fell to Brentford 4-0 on Saturday for a second straight defeat amid ongoing rumors claiming that superstar Cristiano Ronaldo wishes to leave the club to join a side featuring in the UEFA Champions League competition. 

That saga took a new twist at the start of the midweek. 

According to London radio station TalkSport, Sky Sports had reported earlier on Monday that United may consider terminating Ronaldo's contract "if his attitude did not improve." However, that post has since been deleted, and both Sky and Rob Dawson of ESPN have said that the club has dismissed the idea and insisted that the 37-year-old will stay put through the summer transfer deadline. 

"There is no change in the club's position," a United spokesperson told Sky. 

Manager Erik ten Hag has repeatedly stated that Ronaldo is in his plans and even told reporters last month that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner who has 12 months left on his current contract with an option for another year could extend his stay with United beyond the campaign. Meanwhile, Dawson wrote that "sources have told ESPN that Ronaldo has trained well since returning to the squad but has not hidden his keenness for a move during his interactions around Carrington, United's training ground."

Ronaldo started Saturday's blowout loss but was visibly displeased while leaving the pitch following the final whistle. Regardless of his desires, previous pieces noted that Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Napoli are among the noteworthy teams that have rejected opportunities to acquire the international phenom who scored 24 goals across all competitions for United last season. 

United host rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford next Monday. Ronaldo's status for that match is unclear at this time.