Ronaldo requests to be ‘freed’ from the final year of his United contract

Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer saga seems to have taken a fresh twist as the Manchester United ace has reportedly told the club that he wants to be released from the final year of his staggering £360,000-a-week contract. The Portugal forward missed United’s tour of Thailand and Australia and hasn’t started pre-season training with the club. But his future at Old Trafford looks bleak at the moment, with the five-time Ballon D’or winner wanting to play in the Champions League. United tried to convince Ronaldo following his return with his agent, Jorge Mendes, at the Carrington training base. But the discussions failed to convince the 37-year-old forward to remain at the club, and he wants to be freed from the final year of his contract, according to Daily Mail. Ronaldo on Thursday, July 28,  trained for the first time with United since asking for a move. He was also in attendance for the Red Devils’ 4-1 friendly win over Wrexham on Wednesday. In Ronaldo’s absence, Anthony Martial has been playing up front and impressed on the preseason tour, scoring three goals in four games.