Cristiano Ronaldo 'free to leave Manchester United in January'

Cristiano Ronaldo will reportedly be allowed to leave Manchester United during the January transfer window providing that the club receive a suitable offer.

The 37-year-old is believed to have informed the Red Devils at the start of July of his desire to depart over the summer in order to continue playing Champions League football.

Ronaldo ultimately remained at Old Trafford past the summer deadline, but it has been a struggle for the forward at the start of the season, managing just one goal in eight appearances.

The Portugal international's only strike of the 2022-23 campaign came from the penalty spot against Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League on September 15.

Ronaldo has only started once in the Premier League this season and was an unused substitute during the Manchester derby with Manchester City on Sunday.

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When questioned on the decision not to play the forward in the 6-3 loss to Pep Guardiola's side, Man United boss Erik ten Hag said that he made the call out of respect to Ronaldo's career.

"I didn't bring him on out of respect for his big career," said the Dutchman after the contest. "And the other thing, there was then the advantage I could bring Antony Martial on. He needs the minutes but I don't want to point it out like that."

Marcus Rashford and Martial are seemingly both ahead of Ronaldo in the pecking order for the centre-forward spot, with the Portuguese likely to find it difficult to secure league starts this term.

Man United continued to insist over the summer that Ronaldo was not for sale, but according to The Telegraph, he is free to leave the club during the January transfer window.

The report claims that Ten Hag had been keen to keep hold of the striker when he first arrived as head coach, but the Dutchman will not stand in his way if a suitable offer comes in at the start of 2023.

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Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure on the bench against Man City on Sunday, and it was the first time that he had not been used in a league game this term.

The former Sporting Lisbon youngster could be in the XI against Omonia in the Europa League on Thursday evening but is unlikely to be considered for a start against Everton in the league on Sunday.

Ronaldo's existing deal at Old Trafford is due to expire at the end of June, although there is an option to extend the agreement for a further 12 months until the summer of 2024.

Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are believed to be among the clubs to have turned down the chance to sign the forward during the recent window.

Ronaldo, who will represent his country at the 2022 World Cup, is thought to be only willing to consider a move to a club competing in the Champions League this term, although his options will be further limited when the group stage of the competition has finished.