Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to miss the start of the Premier League season, according to reports.
The 37-year-old has been the subject of transfer rumors after expressing a desire to leave the club in order to play in the Champions League.
Ronaldo has also yet to participate in pre-season training, having been allowed to skip the Portugal international’s tour of Thailand and Australia due to family obligations.
With the start of the new season less than two weeks away, the Daily Mail reports that Ronaldo will miss United’s season opener against Brighton & Hove Albion on August 7.
Despite being caught on camera training in Portugal, the forward’s absence from pre-season has left him lacking in match practice ahead of the new season.
While Ronaldo has yet to return to the club, United’s first-team will face Atletico Madrid on Saturday, followed by the rest of the squad facing Rayo Vallecano on Sunday to round out the pre-season schedule.