Marseille president aims brutal dig at Cristiano Ronaldo and rules out January move for the Man United outcast
Marseille's president has ruled out making a January move for Manchester United outcast Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo appears destined to leave Old Trafford after being banished from the first-team squad by manager Erik ten Hag.
The Portuguese superstar has been frozen out after refusing to come on as a substitute in United's 2-0 win over Tottenham on Wednesday.
Ronaldo could be seen heading down the tunnel at Old Trafford before full-time and reportedly left the stadium before the match had finished.
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The Athletic claim that Ronaldo's relationship with Ten Hag is now at "breaking point", with the player desperate to leave the club and the Dutch manager "happy to let him go".
Ronaldo had already attempted to leave United in the summer window for a club competing in the Champions League but a move away from Old Trafford failed to materialise for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
He is likely to have limited options in January after managing just two goals in 12 appearances for United this season.
And Marseille president Pablo Longori says he has no intention of making a move for the Portugal international.
"Football is very clear. You make do with the means you have at your disposal, with a financial balance," Longoria told RMC Sport.
"You have to do everything to get better results, seek to improve the team, but with financial stability. That's important in 2022. We need a sustainable financial situation.
"We are far from ideas like that [signing Ronaldo], of big stars, individual players. We're more focused on team players who put in individual performances which serve the team.
"We have a project where everyone needs to work for a collective."
Ronaldo is now training alone at United and will play no part in Saturday's Premier League clash with Chelsea.
He took to Instagram on Thursday to post a statement reflecting on his behaviour, stopping short of offering an apology to United and Ten Hag.
"As I've always done throughout my career, I try to live and play respectfully towards my colleagues, my adversaries and my coaches. That hasn't changed. I haven't changed," wrote Ronaldo.
"I'm the same person and the same professional that I've been for the last 20 years playing elite football, and respect has always played a very important role in my decision making process.
"I started very young, the older and most experienced players examples were always very important to me. Therefore, later on, I've always tried to set the example myself for the youngsters that grew in all the teams that I've represented.
"Unfortunately that's not always possible and sometimes the heat of the moment gets the best of us.
"Right now, I just feel that I have to keep working hard in Carrington, support my teammates and be ready for everything in any given game. Giving in to the pressure is not an option. It never was.
"This is Manchester United, and united we must stand. Soon we'll be together again."
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Football, Premier League, Marseille, Ligue 1, Man Utd, Transfer News
Rory O'Callaghan