Cristiano Ronaldo declares himself fit and ‘ready’ to start against Brighton in Manchester United’s season opener

The Portuguese international is 'ready'

Cristiano Ronaldo has declared himself ready for Manchester United's Premier League opener against Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday. The 37-year-old missed the Red Devils' pre-season tour of Asia and Australia due to 'family reasons' and is keen on a move away from Old Trafford in search of Champions League football. He has played just 45 minutes of pre-season for United and was substituted during Erik ten Hag's side's 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano last weekend. However, Ronaldo has made his intentions for Sunday's game clear after posting a picture of himself from pre-season, with the word 'ready' written down the side - even adding the praying emoji and the bicep flexing emoji https://twitter.com/utdreport/status/1555985117503438854 The Instagram story appears to be a clear hint that he believes he's ready to play against the Seagulls. The situation is made more complicated by the injury to Anthony Martial.

Martial forced out of season opener through injury

The Frenchman, who spent time on loan with Sevilla last season, has been in good form during United's pre-season campaign, but he suffered a hamstring tear and will miss the Red Devils first game of the new campaign. With United short on attacking options, Ten Hag could be forced to turn to Ronaldo. The Portuguese international is thought to have been working with the club's conditioning staff as he tries to recover his fitness, but he is still behind the rest of the squad in terms of match sharpness.

The former Real Madrid man has so far failed in his bid to leave Old Trafford this summer, with Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid all ruling out moves for the forward.

Although the six-time Ballon d'Or winner has reportedly received lucrative offers from a number of clubs around the globe, he still believes that he has what it takes to play in the Champions League. The Red Devils go into Sunday's clash against Brighton looking to avenge the 4-0 defeat they suffered at the hands of Graham Potter's side in the penultimate game of last season.

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