Cristiano Ronaldo knuckles down in training ahead of Manchester United’s opener against Brighton

Wantaway star Cristiano Ronaldo has been pictured knuckling down in training with his Manchester United team-mates ahead of their Premier League opener at home to Brighton this weekend.

New boss Erik ten Hag and his United side continue their preparations, as they begin their new league campaign at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The 37-year-old, who wants out of United, just a year after he made a sensational return from Juventus, was among the squad being put through their paces by the Dutchman.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been pictured in training with his Manchester United team-mates

The 37-year-old wantaway star was amongst the United squad being put through their paces

Ronaldo was captured in action on Thursday at the Red Devils’ Carrington training base, as they continue preparations for the season opener, and boss ten Hag has a big decision on his hands. 

The Dutchman may have to start Ronaldo, despite his lack of pre-season training with fellow forward Anthony Martial reportedly set to miss their opening game of the season due to injury, according to The Athletic.

The Frenchman, who notched three goals on tour, suffered a minor hamstring problem and the timing of his return is unclear.

Anthony Martial is reportedly set to miss their opening game of the season against Brighton

Whether he starts or not, Ronaldo is still hoping to leave Old Trafford in the coming weeks.

The former Real Madrid star has had a disrupted pre-season as he didn’t travel with the rest of squad on their pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia due to family reasons. Instead, he remained in Portugal and trained alone.

Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid have all been linked with a summer move for Ronaldo but all three clubs have distanced themselves from those reports.

The forward was captured in action on Thursday at the Red Devils’ Carrington training base

United have so far maintained that Portuguese forward Ronaldo is not for sale this summer

It is understood the forward’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has informed United of an offer and wants the Red Devils to name their price.

United have so far maintained that he is not for sale, with the former Real Madrid man still having one year remaining on his contract.

It is also Ronaldo’s first training session since coming under intense criticism from boss Erik ten Hag.

The Dutchman branded the forward’s behaviour as ‘unacceptable’ after he left Old Trafford before the end of Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano in a pre-season friendly.

The Portugal international was taken off at half-time and then walked out of the stadium 10 minutes before full-time without his manager’s permission.

Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United’s friendly with Rayo Vallecano on Sunday early

Despite suggestions that United didn’t have a problem over Ronaldo’s early exit, Ten Hag criticised the player’s conduct in an interview with Dutch television.

Asked if he condoned it, the new United boss said: ‘Definitely not – it’s unacceptable for everybody.

‘There were a lot more who went home. I tell them it’s unacceptable and that we are a team and that we have to stay until the end.’ 

Manager Erik ten Hag (left) has labelled the star’s decision to depart early ‘unacceptable’

The former Ajax boss, however, says the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is part of his plans – but still needs to prove he is a top player.

‘I think he can,’ he told Sky Sports. ‘But to start with he has to get fit, he’s just started. 

‘He is a fantastic football player, he proved it so many times, but you can always be judged on what you are now, what you are presenting now, performing now.

‘So the team and Cristiano himself have to prove it.’

Meanwhile, former United coach Chris Armas has urged Ten Hag to take a hands-on approach to ensure Ronaldo remains at Old Trafford. 

Armas served as assistant to Ralf Rangnick during the German’s beleaguered six-month spell as interim manager last season. 

The American said: ‘He’s a big part of the team and he’s still a guy that produced so it would be my job to figure out how to get all that talent and all that fire and experience of winning and challenge him as much as I could. 

Former United coach Chris Armas (pictured, left) has urged Ten Hag to take a hands-on approach to ensure Ronaldo remains at Old Trafford

‘I think the most important thing is to engage with Cristiano. He’s got so much to give, again his commitment to winning and scoring.

‘Each guy has their different type of leadership – he can certainly be a leader in his way and my goal like everyone else on the roster was ‘how can I get the best out of Cristiano?’

‘So I do think that’s a hands-on approach, it’s speaking with him, it’s bringing him into the office, it’s asking him questions. So he’s part of the solutions and part of the success.’