Cristiano Ronaldo plays waiting game as Man Utd star seeks Atlético move

Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the UK on Tuesday to join Manchester United’s preseason preparations, but the forward’s sights are firmly set on his preferred next destination: Atlético Madrid. Cristiano and his agent, Jorge Mendes, have made it plain to United that the player wishes to leave the Premier League club, and the 37-year-old is keen to return to Spain to work under Atlético head coach Diego Simeone.

After holding talks with United boss Erik ten Hag on Tuesday, Cristiano has got down to work at the club’s Carrington training ground. The Portugal captain is a professional and will go through his paces as normal until his departure is sorted out, but his head is already far from Old Trafford.

Cristiano hopes unaffected by Atlético chief’s remarks

Not even Tuesday’s comments by Atlético president Enrique Cerezo, who insisted it was “almost impossible” that Los Rojiblancos will sign Cristiano, have dampened the player’s hopes of pulling on the red and white shirt. Indeed, far from quelling talk of a deal for the former Real Madrid star, Cerezo’s comments have served to fuel them, thanks to his insertion of the word “almost”.

Atleti must make financial room for Cristiano

Cristiano now depends on Atlético freeing up space for him on the wage bill, with Álvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann two of the players being tipped to make way for him in the Spanish capital. Cristiano is willing to do everything he can to make a move to Atleti happen - so much so that Los Colchoneros have been told that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is willing to take a pay cut.

On Saturday, United and Atlético will face off in a preseason friendly at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo. It remains unknown whether or not Cristiano will be in a position to appear in that match, given that he will go into it with only four training sessions under his belt.