Manchester United reject Cristiano Ronaldo-Antoine Griezmann swap

After failing to show up for Manchester United’s preseason preparations for more than two weeks - his absence was alleged to be for “family reasons” - Cristiano Ronaldo has now reported for training with the Premier League club, completing three sessions under new head coach Erik ten Hag.

However, the 37-year-old is in no doubt that he wants to leave United and find a club that will be playing Champions League football in the 2022/23 season. And with Bayern Munich and Chelsea ruling themselves out of the running for the star, Atlético Madrid have emerged as the team that’s best placed to secure his services.

United not interested in Griezmann

However, if Atlético are to sign the former Real Madrid star, they must also offload players. Los Rojiblancos need to get at least two major earners off their wage bill to bring in Cristiano - and are keen for Antoine Griezmann to be one of them.

Griezmann did not enjoy a good campaign last year and, despite having the confidence of Atlético head coach Diego Simeone and the approval of the fans after his spell at Barcelona, he is a name the LaLiga club have identified as they consider a move for Cristiano.

According to the UK media outlet The Athletic, indeed, United have rejected the idea of a potential swap deal involving Griezmann and Cristiano.

Ten Hag keen for Cristiano to stay

United have been reluctant to allow the Portugal captain to leave from the start, and will not let him go easily. So much so that, despite the footballer’s eagerness to depart, Ten Hag has no interest in replacing him. The coach wants Cristiano and no one else, and has made that stance plain to the club.