Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo will reportedly not play for the club during Sunday’s game.
The Red Devils play away from home against Fulham in the last Premier League game before the World Cup. It is also Manchester United’s last meeting before the tournament.
The Manchester Evening News reported that Ronaldo was not part of the squad that traveled to London on Saturday. Ronaldo previously missed the Carabao Cup match with Aston Villa on Thursday due to an apparent illness.
Team manager Erik ten Hag explained the situation after Villa’s 4-2 win. I cannot guarantee that now [that he will return at Fulham] but he was sick today, he can recover from that,” ten Hag told reporters. “It is not a really serious illness that takes days or weeks, so I think it is possible that he will be available for Sunday and in the team.”
However, it looks like the 37-year-old star will be heading straight to the World Cup in Qatar.
Frustrating season for the superstar
Ronaldo has endured a difficult season so far with ten Hag. The prolific former striker has managed just one Premier League goal during the current campaign.
Despite starting every Europa League game this season, the Portuguese international has made just four appearances in Hag’s ten Premier League starting eleven.
He was also suspended for United’s big game with Chelsea last month. Ronaldo previously refused to enter a game with Spurs as a substitute and left the stadium before the final whistle.
The next tournament in Qatar will surely be Ronaldo’s last World Cup. Although he has won a European championship with his country, the superstar has failed to win a World Cup.
Portugal will play in a difficult Group H at the World Cup in Qatar. This group also includes Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea. The Portuguese begin their tournament run against Ghana on Thursday, November 24.
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