Cristiano Ronaldo wants to quit Old Trafford when the January transfer window opens.

And the indications are that Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is likely to accede to his wishes.

The 37-year-old only re-joined the club from Juventus last summer. Although he finished top scorer in the Premier League last season, it was a disappointing campaign for both him and the team largely, first under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and then his temporary successor Ralf Rangnick.

A sixth-placed finish meant that the team was consigned to Europa League football, not something that Ronaldo, with his storied career, is used to or wants.

He spent much of the summer trying to agitate for a move away from the club and returned late to pre-season training. He was left out of the starting XI for the opening day defeat to Brighton. When he was restored for the following fixture at Brentford, he could do nothing to stop United suffer a humiliating 4 – 0 reversal.

Since then, he has returned to the bench, coinciding with the team going on an unbeaten run of four games before bringing an end at the Etihad.

The Portuguese remained on the bench unused during Sunday’s derby against Manchester City, which ten Hag later claimed was out of respect for him and his big career.

In truth, for all his talent, Ronaldo no longer has the physical ability to press from the front, which ten Hag demands from his teams. 

As for where he could go next, few clubs in the world can afford his wages of close to £400,000 a week.

Chelsea were linked with him in the summer, but United was unwilling to allow the forward to join what they perceive as a direct rival for a Champions League spot. News that the Stamford Bridge side may already have a deal in place to sign Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig may also indicate that that particular ship has sailed.

A return to Spain and Madrid, this time with Atlético, was also touted, but although Ronaldo was ready to lower his wage demands to secure such a move, La Liga FFP restraints could make this problematic.

Alternatively, at this career stage, he could choose to take the money. There were reports in the summer that an unnamed Saudi club was prepared to pay around £275 million for a two-year deal for him.

Although he rejected that offer at the time, subsequent events may have helped to change his mind.