Cristiano Ronaldo absent from Manchester United squad for Fulham

Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo will reportedly not feature for the club during Sunday’s game.

The Red Devils play away to Fulham in the Premier League’s final fixture before the World Cup. It is also Manchester United’s last matchup before the tournament.

The Manchester Evening News has reported that Ronaldo was not part of the team’s traveling squad 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 the 4-2 Villa victory. “I can’t guarantee that now [that he will return at Fulham] but he was ill today, he can recover from that,” ten Hag told reporters. “It’s not a really serious illness that takes days or weeks, so I think it’s possible he will be available for Sunday and in the squad.”

Nevertheless, it appears as if the 37-year-old star will head straight to the World Cup in Qatar.

Frustrating season for the superstar

Ronaldo has endured a tough season so far under ten Hag. The former prolific forward has managed just one Premier League goal during the current campaign.

Despite starting every Europa League game this season, the Portugal international has made just four appearances in ten Hag’s Premier League starting XI.

He was also suspended for United’s massive match with Chelsea last month. Ronaldo previously refused to enter a game with Spurs as substitute and departed the stadium prior to the final whistle.

The upcoming tournament in Qatar will almost certainly be Ronaldo’s final World Cup. While he has collected 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 Qatar World Cup. This group also features Ghana, Uruguay, and South Korea. The Portuguese begin their tournament run against Ghana on Thursday, November 24th.

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