The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner's request to move away from Old Trafford has sparked a massive debate among former footballers, with ex-Tottenham star Jamie O'Hara revealing the reasons behind Ronaldo's potential switch to another club.
According to O'Hara, Ronaldo knows in hindsight that United may not win a trophy for some time, considering newly appointed manager Erik ten Hag would be rebuilding his team from scratch.
"Ronaldo was their top scorer last season, stepped up in big moments for the club. He's left because he can see they're a sinking ship," O'Hara told talkSPORT. "They're a shambles for letting him leave. He carried that team for months. He's earned the right to say, 'This isn't right, the future is not bright with Manchester United, I want to win trophies.'"
The 37-year-old player was United's top scorer last season with 24 goals in all competitions. 18 of those strikes came in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.
Despite his superlative performances, the Red Devils finished with 58 points, their lowest tally in 30 years, and missed out on the Champions League, a tournament Ronaldo wants to play at any cost.
Among the suitors for the Funchal-born legend are Chelsea, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich, who are all said to be interested in securing his services. But the former Premier League and Champions League winners Chelsea are seen as the frontrunners for his signature, as their new owner, Todd Boehly, has already held discussions with Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes.