Manchester United players were no upset that Cristiano Ronaldo handed in a transfer request, in fact they already felt he’d become a ‘pain in the a**e.’
Ronaldo’s desire to leave United has been an ongoing saga all summer, with no club showing enough interest in trying to sign the 37-year-old forward.
The one real offer on the table for him came from Saudi Arabia, but his desire to play in the Champions League this season ruled that out.
UEFA’s top club competition is at the centre of why the striker wants to leave Old Trafford, just one year after joining, and his wage reduction for the team not qualifying for it is part of that as well.
In the past, it would have been devastating for Ronaldo’s teammates to learn that he wanted to leave a club, considering the positive affect he was able to have on results.
However, this hasn’t been the case for his current colleagues, and it seems that they weren’t all too upset when the transfer request happened back in July.
According to ESPN, the news was met with ‘joy’ from most of his teammates, as they feel he’s become a pain in their backsides, rather than a superstar player who would help them.
There is no debate about his professionalism but some players have been annoyed by the fact he seems unable to accept their own limitations.
Instead of playing with Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, as in his initial spell in the north west of England, he’s had to play with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof in defence for much of the second spell.
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Ronaldo seems unable to shift his expectations of the players despite the fact they clearly aren’t on the level of the double winning team under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2008.
The new report seems to back up previous claims that some at United were beginning to become fed up with the former Real Madrid star.
Even if he cannot find a team before Thursday’s transfer deadline, it seems like he will not be first choice under Ten Hag this season.
The Dutchman has already looked to boost his frontline with the €100 million signing of Antony from Ajax, having previously bolstered his defence and midfield.
