Ronaldo misses United's Thailand tour due to family issue

Cristiano Ronaldo will not be on the plane to Thailand for the start of Manchester United's pre-season tour as the star has been granted additional time off to deal with a family issue.

Over the weekend it emerged the 37-year-old had asked to leave Old Trafford if an acceptable offer arrived following a disappointing first season back with a club he won medals aplenty at between 2003 and 2009.

Ronaldo was conspicuous by his absence on Monday when new boss Erik ten Hag welcomed United's international players to Carrington for the start of pre-season training.

The forward told the club he was dealing with a family matter and remained absent on Thursday, when United confirmed that he has been given additional time to deal with the issue.

As a result, Ronaldo will not be part of the group flying to Bangkok on Friday and there is no timeframe on when the forward will link up with United, who take on Liverpool in Thailand on Tuesday before flying to Australia.

While he will not board the flight to Bangkok, United insist Ronaldo will be part of the squad this season.

Having repeatedly said in recent weeks that he is not for sale, the club maintain that stance remains unchanged amid reports they are in fact willing to sell the Portugal international.

There look to be landing spots for the vastly-paid former Real Madrid forward and it's understood Chelsea are still weighing up their level of interest.

Fan favourite Ronaldo only returned to Old Trafford last summer, joining from Juventus for a fee rising to €23m.

Ronaldo scored 24 goals in all competitions and was named Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year, but individual quality was unable to prevent his first season back at United ending trophyless and with a sixth-placed finish in the