On Sunday, Erik ten Hag managed Manchester United for the first time in a competitive game against Brighton. Cristiano Ronaldo did not start the game but instead started on the bench.
According to reports, Ronaldo wants to play in the Champions League more than he wants to continue playing for the Red Devils.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was granted leave by Manchester United to attend to personal matters, thus he was unable to participate in the club’s preseason tour of Asia and Australia.
Last Saturday, Ronaldo did make his return for the first half of a friendly match against Rayo Vallecano, but he left Old Trafford before the game was finished. The match ended 1-1.
Although Ten Hag deemed it “inappropriate” for a number of players to leave before the conclusion of the Rayo game, he stated that there will be no further penalty for their actions.
As a result of Ronaldo’s absence and Anthony Martial’s injury, it appears that Marcus Rashford will start in the forward position for the match against Brighton.
United will give their first games to new signings Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen right away, while Tyrell Malacia will have to settle for a spot on the bench.