'Sunday, the King plays' Cristiano Ronaldo announces imminent return to action for Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo has announced he will make his return for Manchester United in their final pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford on Sunday.
With speculation rife regarding the wantaway Portuguese superstar’s future at Old Trafford, Ronaldo took to Instagram on Friday night to announce: ‘Sunday, the king plays.’
Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils will host the LaLiga side in their final pre-season friendly just a week before the Premier League season starts. United host Brighton in their opening league game on August 7.
It comes after Ronaldo was left behind in Manchester on Friday after 21 players travelled to Norwegian capital Oslo for a game against Atletico Madrid on Saturday, including Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez.
Cristiano Ronaldo announced his United return on Instagram: ‘Sunday, the king plays’
Atletico Madrid supporters’ club insist they ‘would not accept’ signing Ronaldo
United’s website states: ‘Some of those absent from the squad will take part in Sunday’s game against Rayo Vallecano, while others are ill or injured.’
The club go on to add: ‘The squads for the matches have been designed to ensure that available players get adequate game-time across the two fixtures.’
As previously reported by Sportsmail, Ronaldo returned to Carrington to train with his Red Devils teammates on Friday, but it still appears the Portuguese star is seeking Champions League football for the 2022-23 season.
Ronaldo was spotted driving in to Manchester United’s training ground on Friday morning
The 37-year-old’s agent Jorge Mendes is thought to be working on Ronaldo’s options for the incoming season.
United’s Oslo squad includes full-backs Ethan Laird and Tyrell Malacia, after the latter’s arrival at Old Trafford this summer.
After proving their fitness levels, midfielders Scott McTominay and James Garner are on the trip to play Atletico – a club Ronaldo was rumoured to be joining, before their fans made it clear they would not approve of Real Madrid’s top goalscorer joining their city rivals.
Atletico Madrid fans made it clear on Wednesday that they oppose plans to acquire Ronaldo
As Sportsmail previously reported on Wednesday night, Atletico fans even unfurled a banner saying ‘CR7 NOT WELCOME’ in response to the rumours – while the club appeared to distance themselves from Ronaldo.
Ronaldo is well aware of the speculation around his future, but in a reply to an Instagram fan account, he said the media was indulging in ‘lies’.
‘Impossible not to talk about me one day,’ Ronaldo wrote. ‘Otherwise the press makes no money. You know that if you don’t lie you can’t get people’s attention. Keep going that one day you get some news right.’ He also attached a crying face emoji and a laughing emoji.
Cristiano Ronaldo replied to an Instagram post discussing rumours over his Old Trafford future
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