Man Utd: Cristiano Ronaldo now 'more likely to leave' Old Trafford

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo is now ‘more likely’ to seal an Old Trafford exit when the transfer window reopens in January, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Red Devils suffered a 6-3 defeat to rivals Manchester City at the weekend and Ronaldo remained an unused substitute at the Etihad Stadium.

According to The Telegraph, Ronaldo has set his sights on leaving Manchester United at the turn of the year and he will be allowed to head through the exit door.

The report suggests boss Erik ten Hag, who moved into the Red Devils’ hot seat following the conclusion of last season, will not stand in the forward’s way if a good offer comes in when the transfer window reopens for business.

Ronaldo told the Manchester United hierarchy he wanted to depart during the summer due to a desire to compete in the Champions League, but he failed to move onto pastures new ahead of the September 1 deadline.

The 37-year-old’s agent, Jorge Mendes, held conversations with Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly over a potential switch to Stamford Bridge and approached Napoli.

Ten Hag has revealed he chose not to introduce Ronaldo as a substitute during the heavy defeat to Manchester City ‘out of respect for his big career’.

Jones understands ten Hag’s reasoning for opting to leave Ronaldo, whose £480,000-per-week contract expires in the summer, on the bench while Manchester United had a four-goal deficit in the first half at the weekend.

The transfer insider believes the Portuguese star’s lack of action means it is becoming increasingly plausible that a January exit is on the cards.

When asked about ten Hag’s decision to keep Ronaldo off the pitch against Manchester City, Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “I think it makes sense because, once you’re