Manchester United insist they will fight to keep Cristiano Ronaldo at the club for the remainder of his contract despite the player’s desire to leave, 90min understands.

Ronaldo has made it clear to United recently that he wishes to be given the opportunity to leave Old Trafford a year after returning if a suitable offer is made, and his position has taken the club and new manager Erik ten Hag by surprise.

Ten Hag – and even Ronaldo himself last month – had both admitted they were excited to work together following the arrival of the Dutchman from Ajax. But Ronaldo is not convinced United are in a position to compete for major trophies and at 37, would like to play in the Champions League for the remaining years of his career in Europe.

United are unhappy with the situation and are showing no signs as it stands of being willing to let Ronaldo go. The club plan to keep him and will arrange for Ten Hag and Ronaldo to hold a conversation about future plans.

The pair have not yet met face to face, however, with Ronaldo the only member of the entire United squad yet to report back for pre-season training at Carrington. Ronaldo has been excused by the club for family reasons and will not be present on Tuesday this week either – and doubt is growing over his presence on the club’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia. United leave on Friday.