Ronaldo was seen driving to the training ground on Friday with other members of the United squad ahead of their flight to Oslo for the pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid on Saturday. The 37-year-old Portuguese is not expected to travel to the Norwegian capital but could feature in United’s final pre-season friendly with Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford on Sunday. Ronaldo, who stunned the club when he told them he wanted to leave to join a club playing in the Champions League, is set to stay in England to work on his fitness instead of going to Oslo. Cristiano Ronaldo was spotted arriving at Manchester United training New United signings Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez headed to Carrington together His arrival confirms he has returned to training with the club after missing the entire pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia to deal with a family matter. New United manager Erik ten Hag is believed to have two squads in training – one he deems match-fit and another that remains off the pace. Ronaldo is almost certainly in the latter group as he returned to Carrington just this week. Others seen arriving at the training complex include new signings Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen, who drove together. Ronaldo’s appearance in training comes after he spoke publicly for the first time about his uncertain future. In a cryptic post in response to a fan account on Instagram, Ronaldo hit out at the “lies” in the media amid intense speculation about his next destination. “Impossible not to talk about me one day,” Ronaldo wrote. “Otherwise the press doesn’t make money. You know that if you don’t lie you can’t get people’s attention. Keep going so that one day you will have some news right.’ The Portuguese star ended the post with a crying emoji and a laughing emoji. Sportsmail understands Ronaldo was referring to a claim in the fan account’s post that Sir Alex Ferguson had intervened in a desperate bid to convince the player to stay at Old Trafford. Ronaldo and Ferguson enjoy a close relationship – the 37-year-old referred to the legendary manager as a father – and the pair spoke of exchanging pleasantries when they were both at Carrington. New United manager Erik ten Hag looked focused as he arrived at Carrington on Friday Bruno Fernandes also arrived ahead of United’s flight to Oslo later on Friday Ferguson was at the training ground for a pre-arranged board meeting, but the 80-year-old Scot’s presence sparked suggestions it was linked to Ronaldo’s condition. Ronaldo breaks his silence following reports that agent Jorge Mendes is working on a sensational return to Sporting Lisbon for the player. Mendes is known to be actively seeking a Champions League team for his client, who has signaled his intention to The Portuguese forward and Ferguson enjoy a close relationship – the 37-year-old referred to the legendary manager as a father – and the pair spoke to exchange wishes when they were both at Carrington. Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken publicly about his future for the first time in a cryptic Instagram post Ferguson was at the training ground for a pre-arranged board meeting, but the 80-year-old Scot’s presence sparked suggestions it was linked to Ronaldo’s condition. Bayern admitted they had discussed bringing the footballer to the Bundesliga, while Atletico had been linked with a move, despite club president Enrique Cerezo calling a deal “practically impossible”. Atletico ultras have also protested any bid for the United striker. According to The Athletic, talks have been held with Sporting Lisbon, the club Ronaldo left to join United in 2003. Sporting will tick a lot of boxes as they find themselves in the Champions League having finished second in the Primieira Liga. Ronaldo and Mendes held United face-off talks at the club’s training ground this week Ronaldo has told the club he wants to leave earlier this summer to join a club in the Champions League Jorge Mendes’ agent has held talks with Sporting Lisbon over a sensational return to the club The Athletic report, however, that Sporting coach Ruben Amorim has reservations about signing Ronaldo. It is also unclear whether the Portuguese side could afford his £360,000-a-week wages. Mendes has also reportedly informed the club that Ronaldo, who is under contract at United until June 2023, has a “live offer” and that a transfer fee needs to be named for his star man. Ronaldo and Mendes held showdown talks with United’s hierarchy this week, where he reiterated his desire to leave Old Trafford for a second time. The club had hoped to land Ronaldo, but talks have failed to sway him – although he will continue professionally – including a possible appearance in the Rayo Vallecano friendly. Ronaldo wants to leave Old Trafford for a second time but his options seem limited The likes of Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich have distanced themselves from moves for Ronaldo If he features against the Spanish side, where United are expected to field a second-string side, it will be the first time he has played under Ten Hag since missing out on the pre-season tour. United have steadfastly insisted they have no intention of selling Ronaldo, who only returned to Carrington on Tuesday, and have not received any inquiries about their star man. Ronaldo underwent a medical and then trained on Wednesday before watching his team-mates in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Wrexham. He has been working hard in the gym having been cleared from the tour and as such Ronaldo has not immersed himself in Ten Haag’s methods ahead of the new season and will have to gradually reintegrate. The Dutchman spoke to Ronaldo for the first time this week. Ten Hag has stressed the Portuguese’s importance to his side despite his desire to walk out the Old Trafford exit door.
