Five reasons why Cristiano Ronaldo wants end to second spell at Man Utd rapidly becoming a nightmare

Ronaldo cut a disappointed figure at Old Trafford despite scoring 24 goals in all competitions in 2021/22, and he finished a season without a title for the first time since 2010.

The 37-year-old attempted to leave United ahead of the 2022/23 season and is expected to seek a move away during the January transfer window.

We’ve looked at five reasons why Ronaldo is dissatisfied at Manchester United.

Absence from the Champions League
Let’s start with the obvious.

Because of his remarkable success in the league at both the club and individual levels, Ronaldo has been dubbed “Mr. Champions League.”

With 141 goals, the Portugal international is the competition’s all-time leading goal scorer and has won the trophy five times.

After failing to lead Juventus to European glory, he returned to United in 2021, believing that they were on the verge of a new era of success after placing second in the Premier League in 2020/21.

However, in 2021/22, United finished sixth in the Premier League and qualified for the Europa League rather than the Champions League.

After 19 seasons in Europe’s top club competition, Ronaldo’s bid to leave Old Trafford in the summer was apparently motivated by his desire to play for a side that had qualified for the Champions League.

He has subsequently scored two goals in the Europa League, but he is apparently concerned that Lionel Messi may pass him in the Champions League scoring rankings.

“He wants to set records in the Champions League that he believes no one else will be able to break in the future,” Sky Sports News correspondent Melissa Reddy said. “He wants to sign off at the best level possible.”

Insufficient game time
Ronaldo has consistently been one of the first names on a manager’s squad sheet throughout his long career.

Ronaldo made 38 appearances in all competitions for United last season, but in 2022/23, he has been forced to sit on the bench.

As Erik ten Hag attempts to develop a high-pressing side, the attacker has started only four of United’s 13 Premier League games this season and has made six substitute appearances.

Despite being 37 years old, he refuses to accept a minor role at United. Ronaldo apparently believes he is still capable of performing at the greatest level and contributing meaningfully in major games.

“He’s not happy that he didn’t play Sunday, don’t get me wrong,” Ten Hag said following United’s 6-3 loss to Manchester City.

“But the question was about his mood in training, where he appears to be content.” Of course, he wants to play, and he gets irritated when he doesn’t.”

His rage erupted during United’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham, as he stormed out of Old Trafford after refusing to come on in the last minutes.