The Champions League rule that will impact Cristiano Ronaldo’s Man Utd future

Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo will reportedly be allowed to sign for a team in the Champions League this winter.

The attacker is facing an uncertain future ahead of the January transfer window.

Ronaldo, 37, is not a regular starter for Erik ten Hag’s side and was left on the bench in the Manchester derby over the weekend.

According to a report by ESPN, UEFA rules apparently mean he can join a Champions League team and play in the knockout rounds in the new year, despite him already representing United in the Europa League this term.

The fact he didn’t play against Manchester City has raised further questions about whether he will be staying put or moving on in the near future.

Pundit Roy Keane delivered his verdict after the game on Sunday, as per Sky Sports:

“The great players and the top players want to play week in, week out. Ronaldo did not come back to Manchester United to sit on the bench in a derby game.

“I don’t care if a player’s not pressing if he’s going to get me 20/25 goals. He was the league’s leading scorer for Manchester United [last season]. I don’t think he was doing too much pressing then. Manchester United have lost three games this season already.”

United have a big decision to make on what to do with Ronaldo as they head into the next couple of months.

His contract expires in the summer of 2024 but with his chances of starting games starting to dry up, would an exit to a new team help him more opportunities as he enters the final years of his playing career?