Cristiano Ronaldo returns to England for showdown talks with Manchester United - reports

Portuguese forward has asked to leave the club and missed the pre-season tours of Thailand and Australia

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring during the Premier League match against Brentford at Old Trafford in May, 2022, when he enjoyed a superb season personally despite United's struggles. EPA

Cristiano Ronaldo scores from the spot for Manchester United against Brentford. Getty

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores against Chelsea in the Premier League match at Old Trafford in April, 2022. AP

United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Nemanja Matic after scoring against Chelsea. AFP

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores in the Premier League match againstr Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in April, 2022. AFP

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores his third goal in the Premier League match against Norwich City at Old Trafford in April, 2022. AP

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his third goal against Norwich City. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo scores against Norwich City. Getty

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League match at Old Trafford in March, 2022 . Reuters

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring against Tottenham Hotspur. Getty

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring against Tottenham Hotspur. Reuters

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores against Brighton in the Premier League match at Old Trafford in February, 2022. Reuters

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores a goal during the Premier League match against Wolves that was later disallowed in January, 2022. EPA

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores in the Premier League match against Burnley at Old Trafford in December 2021. EPA

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring in the Premier League match against Norwich City at Carrow Road in December, 2021. AFP

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores from the penalty spot during the Premier League match against Norwich City at Carrow Road in December, 2021. AFP

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring in the Champions League match against Atalanta at the Azzurri d'Italia stadium in November, 2021. AFP

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring during the Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford in December 2021. EPA

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores a penalty during the Premier League match against Arsenal. PA

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Marcus Rashford after scoring during a Champions League match against Villarreal at Estadio de la Ceramica in November, 2021. AP

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores during the Champions League match against Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium in November, 2021. EPA

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring in the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in October, 2021. Reuters

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores during the Champions League match against Atalanta at Old Trafford in October 2021. EPA

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring against Villarreal in the Champions League match at Old Trafford in September, 2021. Reuters

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring during the Champions League match against Villarreal in September 2021. EPA

Manchester United Cristiano Ronaldo scores against West Ham United during the Premier League match at the London Stadium in September, 2021. Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo scores for Manchester United during the Champions League match against Young Boys at the Stadion Wankdorf in September, 2021. Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo scores for Manchester United against Newcastle United during the Premier League match at Old Trafford in September, 2021. Getty

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores against Newcastle at Old Trafford. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to England to hold talks with Manchester United regarding his future at the Premier League club, according to reports.

Ronaldo, 37, told United earlier this summer of his desire to leave in order to continue playing in the Champions League. The Portuguese forward has played in Europe's premium club competition in each of the past 19 years but after finishing sixth in the Premier League, United will participate in the second-tier Europa League.

Ronaldo, United's top scorer last season with 24 goals across all competitions, skipped the club's pre-season tours of Thailand and Australia due to family reasons, and according to The Athletic, he was expected back in Manchester on Monday to hold discussions with United bosses.

Erik ten Hag, preparing for his debut season as United manager, has maintained that Ronaldo is an important part of his plans and has no interest in selling the former Real Madrid and Juventus star. However, the Dutchman has also said it is "vital" United sign a striker, suggesting perhaps that the club would allow Ronaldo to leave if a suitable replacement can be found.

The United squad were given Monday off having returned at the weekend from Australia and are due to be back in training on Tuesday, but it is unclear whether Ronaldo will be part of the group this week.

Speculation has inevitably surrounded Ronaldo's future since he asked United to consider suitable offers from Champions League clubs. Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly reportedly met with Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes, but have since ruled out a move for the Portugal international. German champions Bayern Munich were also linked but have distanced themselves from the rumours, while Atletico Madrid have also been credited with an interest.

Ronaldo, the highest-paid player in the Premier League, has less than one year remaining on his contract at United after returning from Juventus last summer, 12 years after leaving Old Trafford for Real Madrid.

It is understood that Ronaldo wants United to be competitive at the highest level with a squad capable of contending for major trophies. Strengthening the squad this summer, therefore, has been of paramount importance, both to increasing United's hopes of challenging for titles and to convincing Ronaldo to stay.

United have so far completed two signings this summer, with Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen and Dutch full-back Tyrell Malacia arriving on a free transfer and from Feyenoord respectively. United are also expected to complete the signing of Argentine centre-back Lisandro Martinez from Ten Hag's former club Ajax.

United have two pre-season games remaining, against Atletico in Oslo on Saturday and at home to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, before opening their Premier League campaign against Brighton on Sunday, August 7.

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