Manchester United reportedly ready for Cristiano Ronaldo to seek January exit

The soccer world may be just a few short months away from the latest transfer saga involving Manchester United superstar forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

ESPN's Rob Dawson reported on Tuesday that United "are braced" for Ronaldo to attempt to leave the club again in January if he doesn't soon receive more playing time from manager Erik ten Hag. The 37-year-old reportedly wished to join a club playing in this season's UEFA Champions League competition this past summer but couldn't secure a move before the transfer window closed. 

Ten Hag kept Ronaldo an unused substitute for the 6-3 defeat at rival Manchester City on Sunday and hasn't started the five-time Ballon d'Or winner for a Premier League match since a 4-0 loss to Brentford on Aug. 13.

"I wouldn't bring him in out of respect for Cristiano, for his big career," ten Hag explained about not playing Ronaldo on Sunday even though United were 4-0 down at halftime of that contest, per Dawson. "The other thing was the advantage that I could bring on Anthony Martial. He needs the minutes, but I don't want to point it out like that."

Ronaldo scored 24 goals across all competitions for United in the 2021-22 season but has thus far tallied one goal in eight games during the current campaign. Meanwhile, ten Hag insisted throughout the summer that CR7 wasn't for sale and was in his plans, and Dawson notes the boss "would still be reluctant to let him leave in January." 

Ronaldo is under contract through the ongoing season with an option for an additional year. He was linked with Premier League side Chelsea over the summer before Graham Potter was appointed their new head coach in September. Potter refused to speak about any interest in the prolific goal-scorer when asked about a possible future transfer on Tuesday.