Ronaldo: ‘The king plays’ in Man U friendly game on Sunday

By: The Associated Press Posted: 11:02 AM CDT Friday, Jul. 29, 2022 Last Modified: 4:46 PM CDT Friday, Jul. 29, 2022

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MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo hopes to make his return to playing for Manchester United in the club's exhibition game on Sunday against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford after being absent from United’s 21-man squad that flew to Norway on Friday for a friendly match against Atlético Madrid.

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This article was published 29/07/2022 (1526 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo hopes to make his return to playing for Manchester United in the club’s exhibition game on Sunday against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford after being absent from United’s 21-man squad that flew to Norway on Friday for a friendly match against Atlético Madrid.

Responding to an Instagram post commenting on his omission from the United squad in Norway, Ronaldo responded with “Domingo o rei joga,” or “Sunday, the king plays.”

If he does feature, it will be Ronaldo’s first match for United since the 4-0 defeat at Brighton on May 7.

FILE - Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo holds the ball after Chelsea's Marcos Alonso scored his side's first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Chelsea, at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England, Thursday, April, 2022. By Thursday, July 21, 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo has not yet returned to preseason training with Manchester United because of what has been publicly described as “personal reasons.” Ronaldo reportedly wants out after only one season back at Old Trafford because United is no longer in the Champions League or in shape to compete with the best teams in England. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson, File)

The 37-year-old striker missed United’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia due to family reasons amid reports he wants to quit the club.

Ronaldo returned to United’s training ground earlier this week to discuss his future with new boss Erik ten Hag.

And the Portugal superstar has now claimed he is due to turn out for United on Sunday.

Ronaldo is reportedly looking for a move to a team that has qualified for the Champions League this season. He held talks with United manager Erik ten Hag at the club’s training base on Tuesday.

United plays Atlético in Oslo on Saturday and has a final friendly against Rayo before opening its Premier League campaign against Brighton on Aug. 7.

Before Ronaldo’s latest comments, United hadn’t said if he would be available against Rayo.

“Some of those absent from the squad,” United said, referring to the Atlético match, “will take part in Sunday’s game against Rayo Vallecano, while others are ill or injured.”

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