sport news Man United: Cristiano Ronaldo questions to overshadow Erik ten Hag preparation trends now
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If the first week of pre-season training gave Erik ten Hag an opportunity to create a positive atmosphere at Manchester United, week two has been an altogether more sobering experience for the Dutchman.
Confirmation over the weekend of reports previously circulating in Spain and Portugal that Cristiano Ronaldo wants to cut short his return to Old Trafford after one year was followed by the Portuguese star being absent when United's international players reported for duty at Carrington on Monday morning after the club gave him compassionate leave for 'family reasons'.
The rest of United's squad had enjoyed their first week under the new manager: an earlier start and double sessions while mixing up the disciplines and drills to keep them interesting. Ten Hag had generated a positive mood while also establishing his authority.
Erik ten Hag wasted little time asserting his authority on the Manchester United squad
But Cristiano Ronaldo asking to leave the club this summer has cast a shadow for Ten Hag
That changed on Monday morning when the United players arrived at Carrington to be met by the familiar sight of TV cameras at the front gate. 'Everything was so positive and now the circus is back,' observed one insider.
Many of the United players aren't surprised by Ronaldo's desire to leave. Some assumed he would only stay for a year once he realised just how far standards had slipped at the club in the 12 years he had been away.
They know how ambitious, how driven, Ronaldo is and guessed that he wouldn't want his legacy to end in the
