Cristiano Ronaldo asked to be left on the bench for Juventus’ Serie A opening match with Udinese.
And it seems he got his own way with Massimiliano Allegri naming Ronaldo on the bench this Sunday amid speculation the player is looking to leave Juve.
Pavel Nedved quickly cooled speculation, telling DAZN: “Do not look for sensational things when there aren’t any. It was a joint decision with the coach because we’re at the start of the season and it is normal that he’s not fully fit.”
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But reports emerged that Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes had contacted a number of top teams on behalf of the player in a bid to sound them out over a possible €25m deal for the Portugal international.
Ronaldo has been linked with an exit away from Juventus all summer after the Italian club failed to win the Serie A title for the first time in 10 years last campaign.
One club Ronaldo has regularly been linked to in recent years is the very team that put him on the map, Manchester United.
The Portuguese forward has also hinted at possible return to the place in which it all began, after his move from Sporting Lisbon as a teenager back in 2003.
Back in 2014, Ronaldo dropped a hint he could one day return to United, telling reporters: “Some players I am still in contact with because when I was there I created a good relationship with everybody, not just the players, all the staff around.
“And it was like my second family there too, so I’ll not forget that the people treat me well. I’ll not forget. I love Manchester, to be back, I never know, you never know.
“Of course I’m happy at Real Madrid, it’s my home, it’s my club but Manchester treats me unbelievable so we never know.”
In the same year, Ronaldo also said in an interview: “I love Manchester. Everyone knows that. Manchester is in my heart. “The supporters are amazing and I wish I can come back one day.”
In 2017 Ronaldo was asked about a possible return to Old Trafford and responded: “Nothing is impossible.”
In another interview, he praised the way in which Red Devils fans never booed him like Real Madrid supporters.
“I don’t like it and it’s not normal that they whistle you in your own stadium. I just don’t like it. It’s not correct. And when you are on a difficult run that is when you need extra support from outside not less. Sometimes we don’t have it.
“I spent a lot of years at Manchester United and it never happened to me. Not even once. Maybe England is a case apart – the mentality is different.”
