Piers Morgan claims Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘highly unlikely’ to play for Man Utd again as star has ‘mentally moved on’

PIERS MORGAN believes that Cristiano Ronaldo is "highly unlikely" to play for Manchester United again.

The brilliant Sun columnist believes that his old pal Cristiano has "mentally moved on" from Old Trafford and could end up somewhere "surprising".

Ronaldo, 37, hasn't attended Man United's pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia for "family reasons" and is seeking a move away from the Theatre of Dreams.

Boss Erik ten Hag has maintained that Ronaldo IS in his plans for the coming season.

But having spoken to his friend in the last seven days Piers believes a resolution is highly unlikely.

Appearing on , the Talk TV host said: "I have had quite a lot of contact in the last week. I certainly think it’d be highly unlikely if Cristiano Ronaldo plays another game for Manchester United.

"I just think mentally he’s moved on.

"I’m not going to say what we’ve said to each other but like I said from the start I don’t think Cristiano feels Manchester United share his ambitions.

"I think he feels that the signings they’re making, the commitment they showed last season, where they finished up and a lack of Champions League football…

"If you’re him and coming towards the end of your career and you still want to win major trophies you’ve got to make a calculation. Am I going to do it if I stay at United?

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"I think he feels the club structure from the top down isn’t right. It’s not a reflection on the new manager, he’s got a lot of respect for him, but it’s just an accurate reflection of where United are right now.

"It’s for him to say what he feels but if you’re asking me then I don’t think he’s going to stay at Manchester United.

"I think he could end up somewhere quite surprising."

Ronaldo has most recently been linked with a return to LaLiga with Atletico Madrid.

Read Piers' incredible column on Ronaldo and Love Island HERE

But Arsenal fan Piers assured his fellow supporters that he is trying all he can to convince Ronaldo to move to the Emirates.

He added mischievously: "Arsenal fans listening should know I’m doing everything in my power to try and persuade him to come to Arsenal.

"And bearing in mind he was close to coming to Arsenal as an 18-year-old, he was about to sign under Arsene Wenger, and at the last minute he blitzed United in a friendly for Sporting Lisbon and Ferguson didn’t leave that game until he signed him.

"I believe he’d be coming home!

"Him up front with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah would be a fantastic forward line for us, so why not?"